| birdsfoot trefoil | USDA PLANTS Symbol: LOCO6 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs |
| Lotus corniculatus L. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Fabales: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
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| Synonym(s): birdfoot deervetch | |
| Native Range: Europe, Asia (BAIL); | |
Birdsfoot trefoil is a low-growing, perennial forb with stems that can reach 2 ft. (0.6 m) long. Leaves are compound (with 5 oval to linear leaflets), stipulate and alternate. Leaflets (upper 3) are 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long and less than 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) wide; the lower two resemble leaf-like stipules. Flowering occurs from May to August, when yellow, sweet pea-like flowers develop. Flowers develop in clusters of 2-8 on a long peduncle (stalk). Fruits are pods that occur in head-like clusters. Each pod is brown to black, cylindrical, 0.6-1.4 in. (1.5-3.5 cm) long, contains up to 49 seeds and has a persistent style at the apex. Birdsfoot trefoil is native to Eurasia and North Africa and occurs in pastures, roadsides, wetlands, disturbed grasslands and riparian areas. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Martin County, KY Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Birdsfoot trefoil contains tannin, a natural antibloating compound. USDA ARS Photo Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Ken Chamberlain, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 359. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org |
 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Colonial National Historical Park (Virginia) |
