Birdsfoot Trefoil

Description and Adaptation of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Origin

First cultivated in northern Europe.

Plant Characteristics

Root system ‐ Strong branched tap root with many smaller roots.

Stems ‐ Relatively small stems arising from a crown semi‐erect or upright in growth habit. There is less fiber than in alfalfa or red clover.

Leaves ‐ Palatable and nutritious. Occur alternately either side of the stem. Each is composed of five leaflets, three apical and two basal resembling stipules.

Flower ‐ Large "bean' type yellow to orange flowers. "Corniculatus" is from the Latin meaning 'yellow'.

Soil Adaptation

Adapted to loam soils with good moisture holding capacity, and also to heavy clay soils. It is not adapted to sandy soils. High soil temperatures appear to favor root diseases. Legume of choice where drainage or acidity are a problem. It will tolerate low levels of fertility but is productive only on soils with good fertility.

Birdsfoot trefoil is a slow growing perennial legume adapted to cooler climates. It is slow to establish and being a light loving plant will not withstand much competition at the seedling stage. Successful inoculation is difficult. Birdsfoot trefoil is more tolerant of grazing than alfalfa and red clover, and will normally outlive red clover by several years. Bloat is not a problem with birdsfoot trefoil.

---

Factsheets in this series were prepared by Stephen Herbert, Masoud Hashemi, Carrie Chickering‐Sears, and Sarah Weis in collaboration with Ken Miller, Jacqui Carlevale, Katie Campbell‐Nelson, and Zack Zenk.

This publication has been funded in part by Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources in a grant to the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. and by Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection, s319 Program.