#bird's-foot trefoil

[flowerishness]

Lotus corniculatus (bird's-foot trefoil)

If I was more interested in social media approval I would never make an invasive weed like bird's-foot trefoil the star of the show. Generally, I get the most likes/hearts/ticks for pretty garden flowers, followed by interesting native plants. Unfortunately 'weeds' usually come in a distant third. Bird's-foot trefoil is a wildflower, originally from the grasslands of Eurasia and North Africa, but is now a common invasive plant throughout the lawns and roadsides of the temperate world.

'Weeds' often bring advantages to the struggle for existence and bird's-foot trefoil is no exception. As a legume it can fix it's own nitrogen and it does well in poor soil. Farmers like it as a non-bloating forage crop for livestock and it's often used to stabilize sloping land for erosion control. It's even included in some wildflower mixes because bumble bees love it's abundant nectar.

However, these advantages belong to a plant that easily enters native environments and regularly outcompetes local species. Like it or not, it is now a permanent member of plant communities around the world. Although this 'weed' may be driving many native species to the edge of extinction, I have a feeling that the bird's-foot trefoil's long-term survival is guaranteed. Thanks largely to our help.

[michaelnordeman]

A Bumblebee/humla on a Bird's-foot trefoil/käringtand. Värmland, Sweden (July 1, 2020).

[grantayre-brush]

Mostly yellow plants for the winter sun

[rabbitcruiser]

Summer Meadow

What do you think about my pic?

[anskupics]

Lotus corniculatus  — common bird’s-foot trefoil a.k.a. eggs and bacon a.k.a. birdsfoot deervetch

[dansnaturepictures]

21/06/2024-Oxeye daisies, creeping cinquefoil, grass vetchling, views, pyramidal orchid, bindweed, bee orchid and Large Skipper at Lakeside Country Park and home today.

Young Starlings and Long-tailed Tits at home and Lakeside in a great time I'm having for seeing young birds lately, Great Crested Grebe still on a nest, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, House Sparrow, loads of Marbled Whites in Lakeside's meadows, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Red Admiral, dock, yellow rattle, meadow crane's-bill, green alkanet, bird's-foot trefoil, knapweed, vetch and white clover were other highlights today with Ring-necked Parakeet heard at Lakeside.

[crudlynaturephotos]

[crestof1aminee]

Lotus corniculatus : ‘the flower with small horns’

A member of the pea family that grows in meadows and along roadsides, bird’s foot trefoil blends in with — and chokes out — native yellow sweetclover. All parts of this plant contain cyanide. Still, the root and flowers are used medicinally to stimulate breathing and/or calm the heart rate. When crushed, the flowers make a suitable dye. 

[dragonfang-photography]

Bird's-foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus. "Tiriltunge" in Norwegian.

[lost-harts]

August 2023

[butterflyangel2002]

These cute yellow flowers I keep seeing everywhere in town 💛🌼

[indigrassy]

Little bee on some bird's-foot trefoil

[sandpaperoctopi]

Nemato

[blogbirdfeather]

Southern Bird's Foot Trefoil - Cornichão-das-praias (Lotus creticus)

Loulé/Portugal (20/02/2024)

[Nikon D500; AF 105mm Micro-Nikkor F2,8 with Circular Flash Nissin MF 18; 1/250s; F22; 400 ISO]

[rabbitcruiser]

Incoming Thunder Storm

What do you think about my pic?

[anskupics]

Lotus corniculatus  — common bird’s-foot trefoil a.k.a. eggs and bacon a.k.a. birdsfoot deervetch