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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Lotus corniculatus''
| image = Karringtand.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Loteae]]
| genus = ''[[Lotus (genus)|Lotus]]''
| species = '''''L. corniculatus'''''
| binomial = ''Lotus corniculatus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Lotus corniculatus''''' is a common [[flowering plant]] native to grassland temperate [[Eurasia]] and North [[Africa]]. The orthography of the common name is variously given as '''Bird's-foot Trefoil''', '''Birdsfoot Trefoil''', '''Birdfoot Trefoil''', or '''Bird's Foot Trefoil'''; it is also known in cultivation in [[North America]] as '''Birdfoot Deervetch'''.
It is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]]aceous plant, similar in appearance to some [[clover]]s. The flowers develop into small pea-like pods or [[legume]]s. The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. There are five [[leaf]]lets, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name ''trefoil''.
The height of the plant is variable, from 5-20 cm, occasionally more where supported by other plants; the stems can reach up to 50 cm long. It is typically sprawling at the height of the surrounding grassland. It can survive fairly close grazing, trampling and mowing. It is most often found in sandy [[soil]]s.
The plant has had many common [[English language|English]] names in [[UK|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'.
===Uses===
[[Image:BirdsfootTrefoil.jpg|left|thumb|A [[cow]] feeding on birdsfoot trefoil.]]
It is used in [[agriculture]] as a [[forage]] plant, grown for [[pasture]], [[hay]], and [[silage]]. Taller growing [[cultivar]]s 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 [[insect]]s and is also used as a [[larva]]l food plant by many species of [[Lepidoptera]] such as [[Six-spot Burnet]]. It is regularly included as a component of [[wildflower]] mixes in [[Europe]].
== External links ==
{{Commons|Lotus corniculatus}}
* [http://www.aphotoflora.com/Lotus%20corniculatus-14-05-04.jpg Photo] and [http://www.aphotoflora.com/Lotus%20corniculatus-10-06-04.jpg another] from southwest England, showing flower variation
[[Category:Faboideae]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Lotus corniculatus''
| image = Karringtand.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Loteae]]
| genus = ''[[Lotus (genus)|Lotus]]''
| species = '''''L. corniculatus'''''
| binomial = ''Lotus corniculatus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Lotus corniculatus''''' is a common [[flowering plant]] native to grassland temperate [[Eurasia]] and North [[Africa]]. The orthography of the common name is variously given as '''Bird's-foot Trefoil''', '''Birdsfoot Trefoil''', '''Birdfoot Trefoil''', or '''Bird's Foot Trefoil'''; it is also known in cultivation in [[North America]] as '''Birdfoot Deervetch'''.
It is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]]aceous plant, similar in appearance to some [[clover]]s. The flowers develop into small pea-like pods or [[legume]]s. The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. There are five [[leaf]]lets, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name ''trefoil''.
The height of the plant is variable, from 5-20 cm, occasionally more where supported by other plants; the stems can reach up to 50 cm long. It is typically sprawling at the height of the surrounding grassland. It can survive fairly close grazing, trampling and mowing. It is most often found in sandy [[soil]]s.
The plant has had many common [[English language|English]] names in [[UK|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'.
===Uses===
[[Image:BirdsfootTrefoil.jpg|left|thumb|A [[cow]] feeding on birdsfoot trefoil.]]
It is used in [[agriculture]] as a [[forage]] plant, grown for [[pasture]], [[hay]], and [[silage]]. Taller growing [[cultivar]]s 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 [[insect]]s and is also used as a [[larva]]l food plant by many species of [[Lepidoptera]] such as [[Six-spot Burnet]]. It is regularly included as a component of [[wildflower]] mixes in [[Europe]].
== External links ==
{{Commons|Lotus corniculatus}}
* [http://www.aphotoflora.com/Lotus%20corniculatus-14-05-04.jpg Photo] and [http://www.aphotoflora.com/Lotus%20corniculatus-10-06-04.jpg another] from southwest England, showing flower variation
[[Category:Faboideae]]
