Bird's foot trefoil

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Bird's Foot Trefoil , botanic name Lotus corniculatus, is a common native of grassland habitats in temperate Eurasia and North Africa.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant, similar in appearance to some clovers. The flowers are bright yellow, but often with a tinge of orange or red, with three or more flowers borne together in a head. The flowers develop into small pea-like pods or legumes. The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. There are five leaflets, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name trefoil.

The height of the plant is variable, but it is typically sprawling at the height of the surrounding grassland. It can survive close mowing. It is most often found in sandy soils.

The plant has had many common English names in Britain, which are now mostly out of use. These names were often connected with the yellow and orange colour of the flowers; e.g. 'eggs and bacon',' butter and eggs'.

It is used in agriculture as a forage plant, grown for pasture, hay, and silage. Taller growing varieties have been developed for this. It may be used as an alternative to alfalfa in poor soils. It has become an invasive species in some regions of North America and Australia.

A double flowered variety is grown as an ornamental plant. The plant is an important nectar source for many insects, and is regularly included as a component of wild flower mixes in Europe.