Lotus corniculatus aka Bird's Foot Trefoil

Taxonomy

Lotus corniculatus, also known as common bird's-foot trefoil, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the pea family Fabaceae. It is native to grasslands in temperate Eurasia and North Africa. The plant grows up to 20cm in height and has a lax habit. Its stem can be recumbent, ascending, or ascending. The leaves are trifoliate, with one pair below a terminal trio. The yellow-colored pea flowers emerge from heads of red-tinged buds and provide a good source of nectar for bees. The plant's seed pods are long and slim. It is often used as forage and as food for livestock due to its nonbloating properties. Lotus corniculatus is also a larval food source for some moths and is known for improving soil fertility. It is commonly used for lawns, landscaping ravines, and wastelands, as it is resistant to trampling and can tolerate poor stony soils. Additionally, it is a honey plant. Overall, Lotus corniculatus is a useful plant in various contexts.

Common names

Bird's Foot Trefoil, Common Bird's Foot Trefoil

How to care for Bird's Foot Trefoil

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Bird's Foot Trefoil due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Bird's Foot Trefoil should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Bird's Foot Trefoil thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Bird's Foot Trefoil.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Region of origin

Bird's Foot Trefoil’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia