Birds-foot Trefoil
Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatis) is a perennial flowering plant in the pea (Fabaceae) family.
- This herbaceous plant is variable in height, from 5 cm to 20 cm. It can grow taller if it is among other plants.
- Many stems grow from a taproot and rhizomes. Prostate stems may root at nodes.
- Alternate (pinnate/compound) downy leaves grow at the base at the base and terminal area – five leaflets at the base and 3 at the terminus, all short-stemmed.
- Pea-like yellow flowers form at the tops of the stems in June and may continue throughout summer.
- The clusters of flowers have a similar shape to slippers. They are pollinated mostly be bees and butterflies.
- The flowers become more orange with age.
- All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox (larger) view.
- The flowers develop into pods by the end of summer.
- Lotus is an important food for butterfly caterpillars.
- The seeds have a shape like bird’s feet or claws.
- Other names include deervetch, granny’s toenails, or eggs and bacon (and others).
- It is native to Eurasia, but was introduced to North America as a forage plant and to help areas with erosion control. Like other members of the pea family it is nitrogen-fixing.
- Lotus has been used as a source of dyes and perfume, and also for traditional medicine.
- Various animals graze on Lotus. It survives grazing and drought.
- It is most commonly spotted in fields, meadows, and grassy tracks.
- We often spot in on double track trails in the summer.
Several years ago it began to march westward in a golden parade, north of Dawson Creek on the shoulders & ditches of several sideroads. Each summer it progressed more than a kilometer, ever westward.