Lotus pedunculatus Cav.
Big trefoil, Marsh bird's foot trefoil
Greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a native perennial that, as its name suggests, is a larger and more robust relation of common bird's-foot-trefoil. It produces taller, often hollow stems and rounded heads of yellow pea-flowers, again sometimes tinged red in bud, above greyish-green divided leaves.
About
Greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a native perennial that, as its name suggests, is a larger and more robust relation of common bird's-foot-trefoil. It produces taller, often hollow stems and rounded heads of yellow pea-flowers, again sometimes tinged red in bud, above greyish-green divided leaves. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and can form sizeable patches in suitable ground.
The key difference is its preference for damp conditions: it favours marshes, fens, wet meadows, ditch sides, pond margins and other moist or heavy soils, in sun or partial shade. Flowering through the summer months, it is a valuable nectar and pollen source for bumblebees and other insects, and serves as a larval food plant for a number of moths and butterflies. Where a seed mix is intended for wetter ground or pond and stream edges, it is the natural choice in place of its drought-tolerant cousin.
Also known as
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil · Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil · Greater bird’s-foot trefoil · Large Bird's-Foot-Trefoil · Marsh Bird's-foot Trefoil · big trefoil · greater bird's-foot trefoil · greater birdsfoot-trefoil · loto de los pantanos · lotus
Synonyms
Lotus corniculatus decumbens · Lotus corniculatus pedunculatus · Lotus granadensis · Lotus nummularius · Lotus uliginosus brachycarpus · Lotus uluginosus
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.