Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)



No one living in Dorset can possibly not know Bird's-foot Trefoil as it can be found just about anywhere from the coastal cliffs to hedgerows, woodland and grassland. Apart from very acid soils you can find it in almost habitat.

A member of the pea family with that classic 'vetch' shaped flower it is a very popular plant with insects and is the food plant for several species of moth and butterfly.

Sometimes called 'eggs and bacon' although I have no idea why as it does not look like an egg and there is no trace of any bacon!

The usual name 'bird's foot' comes from the shape of the seed heads that form once the flower has gone over. It looks just like the foot of a small bird.

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