Trifolium pratense

Caution: this plant is somewhat invasive in Toronto Trifolium pratense, known in English as "red clover" and in French as trèfle des prés or trèfle violet, is a short-lived perennial native to Europe, west Asia, and northern Africa. It can be grown as a green manure as it fixes nitrogen in the soil.

According to the Invasive Exotic Species Ranking for Southern Ontario, red clover is a Category 4 invasive: "Exotic species that do not pose a serious threat to natural areas unless they are competing directly with more desirable vegetation. These can often be tolerated in restoration projects if they are already present."

I photographed this plant in a vacant lot on Elm Street west of Bay.