Lotus corniculatus Seeds | Bird’s-foot Trefoil
LATIN NAME: Lotus corniculatus
COMMON NAME: Bird’s-foot Trefoil
Plant Profile
Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) grows as a low, spreading, perennial in the pea family. Heads of pods spread like the bird’s foot, and plant feeds soil with the nitrogen. It is a plant of open, sunny, well-drained ground. These traits together are what have kept the plant in gardens for so long.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the pea family, Lotus corniculatus contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. For practical purposes the message is encouraging: generations of cultivation have produced plants of predictable, well-mannered garden character.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Bird’s-foot Trefoil for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Cut old stems down after flowers and fresh, green tufts will come again from the base. Germinate steadily with basic care and grow on steadily. With sun and well-drained ground, yellow clusters will open through the summer. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Lotus herbaceous relatives, bird’s-foot trefoils, are fine forage legumes; their tannin content protects protein in the rumen and prevents bloat.
Growing from Seed
Bird’s-foot Trefoil is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Once established, Bird’s-foot Trefoil largely looks after itself. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
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