A cloverleaf or mushroom type antenna projects out and
up giving a more 'doughnut' shaped transmission, like a
lantern. Good for all around flight but some height is
sacrificed, particularly directly above you.
vs
Cloverleaf vs Mushroom
Cloverleaf vs Mushroom antenna radiation pattern.
A flat panel (patch or patch array) antenna projects
everything almost all in one general direction like a
floodlight. Good for long distance flight, in one specific
direction, more commonly used with ‘diversity’ receivers
often paired with a mushroom antenna.
If we were to use a dish shaped antenna (like a satellite
dish) it would be a highly focused pattern like a spotlight
and using one of these could increase gain by over 50dB