Bird's-foot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus · Herbaceous Perennial (Non-Tree)
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Flowering Forb/Legume
Variety / Cultivar
Not applicable
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9; highly tolerant of various temperature extremes within these zones.
About This Tree
An herbaceous perennial that grows in low-spreading mats, often confused with clover. It has a prostrate to ascending growth form, featuring bright yellow pea-like flowers that often turn orange-red as they age.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound with five leaflets; three are at the leaf tip and two are at the base of the petiole, resembling stipules. Leaflets are oval or lance-shaped with smooth margins.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable (herbaceous plant); stems are slender, square or rounded, green to reddish, and can be hairless or slightly hairy.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eurasia and North Africa; naturalized across North America, Australia, and parts of Asia.
Growing Season
Spring through Fall; flowers typically appear from late spring to early autumn (June-September), dormancy in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate water needs with high drought tolerance once established. Adaptable to poor, well-drained soils.
Mature Size
Height: 6-24 inches (15-60 cm); Spread: 1-3 feet (30-90 cm); Growth rate: Fast.
Special Characteristics
Fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil via root nodules. It is considered an invasive weed in some natural prairie areas but used for erosion control and livestock forage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Highly valuable to pollinators, particularly bumblebees and honeybees. It serves as a larval host for various butterfly species like the Clouded Sulphur.