Lotus corniculatus is aflowering plant in the pea familyFabaceae. Common names includecommon bird's-foot trefoil,[2]eggs and bacon,[3]birdsfoot deervetch,[4] and justbird's-foot trefoil[5] (a name also often applied to otherLotus spp.). It has a wide distribution and is a favoredforage for livestock.
It is a perennialherbaceous plant. The height of the plant is variable, from 5 to 20 centimetres (2 to 8 inches), occasionally more where supported by other plants; the stems can reach up to 50 cm (20 in) long.
The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. The leaves have fiveleaflets, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name 'trefoil'. There are no tendrils. The flowers are in clusters on a longish stalk. The five green sepals are fused into a tube around the base of the petals. The 5 yellow petals form a shape typical of peas; the lower two are fused into a boat shape, the uppermost is erect and the remaining two are at the sides as wings. The 10 stamens and single carpel are concealed by the petals.[6]: 164
The flowers bloom from June to September and develop into small pea-like pods orlegumes.
The plant had many common English names inBritain, which are now mostly out of use. These names were often connected with the yellow and orange colour of the flowers, e.g. 'butter and eggs'. One name that is still used iseggs and bacon (orbacon and eggs).[7]
The leaves are similar in appearance to someclovers.
Lotus corniculatus flowers in southeastern Minnesota (late July 2016)
Lotus corniculatus has a broad distribution worldwide.[5][1] It is native to temperate Eurasia and North Africa.[citation needed] It is common everywhere in Britain[8] and Ireland.[9][10]
Habitats include old fields, grassy places,[11] and roadsides.[10] 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 sandysoils.
Birdsfoot trefoil is aninvasive species in many parts of North America andAustralia. It has been commonly planted along roadsides for erosion control or pastures forforage and then spreads intonatural areas.[4][13] Once it has established in an area, it can outcompetenative species.[13] The use ofprescribed fire is not an effective management tool againstL. corniculatus and herbicide is recommended instead to control it.[13]
The species containscyanogenic glycosides,[16] which release small amounts ofhydrogen cyanide when macerated. This is not normally poisonous to humans, though, as the dose is very low, and the metabolization of cyanide is relatively quick.[17] Condensed tannins are also present.[18]
It is used inagriculture as a forage plant, grown forpasture,hay, andsilage. It is a high quality forage that does not cause bloat in ruminants.[19] Taller-growingcultivars have been developed for this.[citation needed] It may be used as an alternative toalfalfa in poor soils.
A double-flowered variety is grown as anornamental plant. It is regularly included as a component ofwildflower mixes inEurope. It can also prevent soil erosion and provide a good habitat for wildlife.[19]
In the traditional medicine of the Sannio regio of Italy, the diluted infusions were used for anxiety, insomnia, and exhaustion.[20]
^ab"Plant Fact Sheet, Birdsfoot Trefoil"(PDF).plants.usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved2018-10-19.
^Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012.Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University PressISBN978-185918-4783
^abHackney, P. (Ed) 1992.Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland, Third Edition. Institute of Irish Studies,The Queen's University of Belfast.ISBN0-85389-446-9
^Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968.Excursion Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge University Press.ISBN0-521-04656-4
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