Species of the Week: Birdsfoot Trefoil

It’s time for another round of SPECIES OF THE WEEK!

(Where I learn about a local species and hone my camera-phone skills. Thanks for joining me!)

This week: Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

(also Bird’s-Foot Trefoil, Birdfoot Deervetch and by some, Eggs and Bacon)

If you live anywhere near Southern Ontario, you’re probably familiar with this pretty little yellow flower. It lines boulevards and fills fields. I’ve always loved it, but we’ve never been properly introduced until recently.

Here it is.

 

One of the more adorable wildflowers, in my opinion. Much more endearing than dandelions, anyhow.

You can identify Birdsfoot Trefoil by the clusters of yellow flowers in a circular pattern. The “Birdsfoot” name comes from the arrangement of brown seed pods when they’re ripe. I found this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisehurt/5926114729/

This perennial legume is often used in pastures for sheep or cattle (not horses) and is fairly hardy. It is also used for erosion control, and provides food for wildlife. It is considered invasive in some locations in North America.

 

You may be wondering if I will ever do an animal or insect for Species of the Week.  I really, really want to, but I’m just waiting for one of them to sit still (and not be chased off by my boys) long enough to photograph. Stay tuned!

 

Sources:

http://forages.oregonstate.edu/php/fact_sheet_print_legume.php?SpecID=12

http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uc087.pdf

http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_loco6.pdf