ExplorePlants

bird's-foot trefoil

Lotus corniculatus

Bird's-foot trefoil is a cheerful yellow flower that looks like a little bird's foot! It grows close to the ground and can be found in fields and meadows, adding bright colors to nature.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The bird's-foot trefoil is a low-growing plant with slender stems and clusters of small, bright yellow to orange-red flowers. Its leaves are divided into three small oval leaflets, and the distinctive seed pods resemble a bird's foot, giving the plant its name.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLotus
bird's-foot trefoil
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgeedible trait badgegrassland trait badge
bird's-foot trefoil

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

33

Interesting facts

Ancient Romans used bird's-foot trefoil as a valuable plant for feeding their livestock.

Bird's-foot trefoil can grow in tough places like sandy soil or rocky ground where other plants struggle!

In some places, people call this flower 'bacon and eggs' because of its yellow and orange colors!

Its unique flowers are a favorite landing pad for many different kinds of bees and butterflies.

Special abilities

Ability

Nitrogen Factory

Bird's-foot trefoil can take nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, helping itself and other plants grow strong.

Ability

Drought Buster

Bird's-foot trefoil has deep roots that allow it to find water far underground, helping it survive dry spells when other plants wilt.

Ability

Seed Sprinter

Its mature seed pods twist and snap open forcefully, flinging tiny seeds far away to spread new plants!

Measurements & details

Height
10-60 cm
Spread
20-100 cm
Flower Size
0.8-1.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen from flowers

symbiotic with

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

lives in root nodules, provides nitrogen

eaten by

Six-spot Burnet moth

Zygaena filipendulae

larvae feed on leaves

eaten by

Domestic sheep

Ovis aries

grazes on foliage as forage

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's safe to touch and look at these flowers, but remember to be gentle with all plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify bird's-foot trefoil?

The easiest way to identify bird's-foot trefoil is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is bird's-foot trefoil?

10-60 cm

How wide does bird's-foot trefoil spread?

20-100 cm

How big are the flowers on bird's-foot trefoil?

0.8-1.5 cm

When does bird's-foot trefoil bloom?

Late spring to early fall

Is bird's-foot trefoil edible?

Yes

Is bird's-foot trefoil toxic?

Mild

What is bird's-foot trefoil's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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