Birdfoot Trefoil

(Lotus corniculatus)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Birdfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers relatively large, yellow, pealike, arranged in small, round clusters of 3 to 6 flowers. Seedpods arranged in a spray suggesting the foot of a bird. Leaves with 5 leaflets, 3 arranged in a typical clover, and another pair at the stem suggesting a pair of bracts. Leaflets pointed at the apex. Plant 6 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America except for the southwestern United States.

Habitat: Birdfoot Trefoil is a weedy species of disturbed habitats such as roadsides and fields.

Flowering period: June to September.

Similar Species: The large, yellow flowers and the leaves divided into 5 leaflets with 2 of the leaflets flush with the stem are distinctive features of Birdfoot Trefoil.

Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc. 2003. All rights reserved.