Lotus corniculatus aka Bird's Foot Trefoil

Lotus corniculatus, or bird's-foot trefoil, belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. This herbaceous perennial is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its native range includes Britain and Ireland. It grows in pastures and on sunny stream banks. It often grows on lime-rich ground and appears in lawns. Its loose, spreading form suits meadows and wildlife gardens.

Plants often stand about 0.7 feet (0.2 m) tall. RHS gives a broader height range of 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 m). Its listed spread is also 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 m). Plants reach their full size in one to two years. The leaves fall away for winter. Each leaf has five leaflets, with two below a group of three. Red-tinged buds open into yellow, pea-shaped flowers. Bloom runs from late spring into early autumn. Long, narrow seed pods follow the flowers.

Grow this plant in full sun with soil that drains well. It suits sandy, loamy, or chalky ground with little nitrogen. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Moisture can range from dry to moist. RHS rates its winter hardiness as H7. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 3–8. RHS says seed can be sown throughout the year. Plants need no pruning and have few pest or disease problems. These traits make it a low-care choice for suitable sites.

Bees visit the flowers for nectar. The leaves also feed the young of some moths. These roles give it value in gardens planted for wildlife. It fixes nitrogen and has been used as green manure. Plants For A Future questions that use where growth produces little bulk. The flowers can also yield an orange-yellow dye. The species has weed potential, so its spread deserves attention. Its tendency to appear in lawns may not suit every garden.

Plants For A Future records young seed pods as a minor food use. The same source warns that all parts contain poisonous cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds can release hydrogen cyanide, and levels vary among plants. Cornell lists cattle and sheep among the animals most often affected. The food record should not be read as proof of safety. Plants For A Future also records medicinal uses for flowers and roots. It lists external use for skin inflammation as well. These reported uses do not remove the plant's poisoning risk.