Lotus corniculatus
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| Lotus corniculatus L. |
Lotus corniculatus is a common flowering plant native to grassland habitats in temperate Eurasia and North Africa. The orthography of the common name is variously given as Bird's-foot Trefoil, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Birdfoot Trefoil, or Bird's Foot Trefoil; it is also known in cultivation in North America as Birdfoot Deervetch.
It is a perennial herbaceous plant, similar in appearance to some clovers. The flowers are bright yellow, but often with a tinge of orange or red (especially as the flowers age), with three or more flowers borne together in a head. The flowers develop into small pea-like pods or legumes. The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. There are five leaflets, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name trefoil.
The height of the plant is variable, from 5-20 cm, occasionally more where supported by other plants; the stems can reach up to 50 cm long. It is typically sprawling at the height of the surrounding grassland. It can survive fairly close grazing, trampling and mowing. It is most often found in sandy soils.
The plant has had many common English names in Britain, which are now mostly out of use. These names were often connected with the yellow and orange colour of the flowers, e.g. 'eggs and bacon', 'butter and eggs'.
[edit] Uses
It is used in agriculture as a forage plant, grown for pasture, hay, and silage. Taller growing cultivars have been developed for this. It may be used as an alternative to alfalfa in poor soils. It has become an invasive species in some regions of North America and Australia.
A double flowered variety is grown as an ornamental plant. The plant is an important nectar source for many insects and is also used as a larval food plant by many species of Lepidoptera such as Six-spot Burnet. It is regularly included as a component of wildflower mixes in Europe.
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