Bird's-foot-trefoil

Common Name: Common bird’s-foot-trefoil

Latin Name: Lotus corniculatus

Family: Fabaceae

This is a widespread grassland plant found on free draining ground. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park it is widespread especially over limestone and on limestone rocks to an altitude of above 400m. Bird’s-foot-trefoil is a leguminous plant and therefore it forms nitrogen-fixing nodules on its roots in which it has a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By fixing atmospheric nitrogen this species is able to survive in soils which are low in nutrients. Bird’s-foot-trefoil is also an important larval food plant of the common blue butterfly and is a valuable source of nectar and pollen for other insects.

The plant is also known by several other names including ham and eggs, or, bacon and eggs, which refer to the yellow colour of the flowers which are streaked with red. Other names including bird’s-foot-trefoil and lady’s fingers refer to the shape of the seedpods and flowers.