Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kriti, Krym, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sudan-South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Yemen
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lotus
- Species:
- Lotus corniculatus
- USDA Symbol:
- LOCO6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, orange
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★★★ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), Sparganothis xanthoides, Xenotemna pallorana
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Sanderson bumble bee (Bombus sandersoni), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Icaricia acmon
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-poor conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat (e.g., with sandpaper or hot water) then cold stratify for 2-4 weeks for best germination.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)