Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus

Common Name: Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus corniculatus, more commonly known as Bird's-foot Trefoil, is a member of the Pea family and grows to approximately 40cm tall in some cases, but often much lower to the ground. It has 5-lobed leaves; the 3 upper leaves having short stalks, but the lower pair are stalkless, and therefore looks trifoliate.

The deep-yellow flowers are found in stalked clusters with the corolla up to 1.5cm long and often reddish-tinged, especially in bud - giving rise to one of this plant's common names of Bacon and Eggs. The fruits are about 2cm in length, smooth and straight, dark brown in colour and give the impression of bird's feet. Calyx teeth are erect in bud.

Flowering season is May to October. Usual habitat is dry grassland, hay meadows, edges of footpaths, cliffs, open woods and even cultivated lawns. Common throughout the UK.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.