Having three leaflets arising from a single point, forming a compound leaf with exactly three parts. This arrangement is common in many plant families including legumes and some ornamentals.
From Latin 'tri-' meaning 'three' and 'folium' meaning 'leaf,' literally 'three-leaved.' The term specifically describes the three-part leaf arrangement found in many plant species.
Trifoliate leaves are everywhere once you start noticing them! Clover, poison ivy, and strawberry plants all have this three-leaflet pattern - it's like nature's favorite number for compound leaves is three.
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