Latin name: Lotus corniculatus L.
Meaning:
Common name: Birdsfoot Trefoil
Plant family: Fabaceae
Date/Location of specimen: In the field on my property
Description: Birdsfoot trefoil is a moderately long-lived herbaceous perennial legume. The stems are slender, branch well, and are moderately leafy. Leaves are smooth and consist of 5 leaflets. The bloom is made up of a cluster of bright yellow flowers arranged in a whorl at the end of the flowering stems. When ripe, the brown seed pods extend outward from the stalk and look like a bird’s foot. The plant remains green and succulent during and after seed ripening. 1
Pest/Disease & Gardening Limitations: None. Is often sown in fields like alfalfa. Mowing will kill it off, so it does not take over lawns.
References:
1 http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_loco6.pdf
Collection Sample #2 of 5 PLANTS?
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