Birdsfoot Trefoil

Scientific name(s) Lotus corniculatus Strengths Perennial, non-bloating, adapted to acid and waterlogged soils. Provides bypass protein, and reduces methane output in ruminants. Limitations Seed can be expensive and seedling establishment is slow. Needs carful grazing management over summer to maintain persistence. Plant description Plant: Herbaceous tap rooted perennial that can have an erect to prostrate growth habit. Stems: Usually hairless and solid (not usually hollow), green to reddish green, up to 60 cm long, arising from the basal crown. Branches arising from the leaf axis. Leaves: Leaves occur as five leaflets (pentafoliate), three terminal and two basal and are nearly hair-less. The widest part of the leaf is in the lower half of the basal leaflets. Leaf shape can vary (elliptic or obovate) however terminal leaves are at least 3 times longer than their width. The three terminal leaves are also removed from the basal leave hence the Trefoil component of the common name.