500 Bird's Foot Trefoil Legume Seeds/Lotus Corniculatus/P051

Also known as "broadleaf birdsfoot trefoil," this long-lived, deep-rooted perennial forage legume is used for pasture, hay and silage. It grows on many different soil types, from sandy loams to clays. It accepts poorly-drained, droughty, infertile, acid or mildly alkaline soils. Most productive on fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.2-6.5 or higher.

Birdsfoot trefoil is a low-growing, perennial broadleaf plant native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was introduced into the United States for erosion control and livestock forage and is still sold commercially.

The nutritive value equals that of alfalfa, and there is no apparent problem from bloat, evern where pure stands are grazed.

The flowers are used mainly as a sedative and for other aspects of the nervous and cardiac systems. They have an antispasmodic effect on the digestive tract. In the Sannio region, Italy, the diluted infusions were used to calm anxiety, insomnia and exhaustion

Birdsfoot trefoil should be seeded with grasses for optimum forage production such as: timothy, smooth brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. Also attracts deer, turkey, and rabbit.

 Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial legume that does not cause bloat in grazing ruminant animals. It is highly adapted to grow in a range of challenging conditions including infertile soils, soils with high acidity or poor drainage, and poorly prepared seed beds.

Lotus corniculatus is a short-lived, non-bloating perennial legume which has the ability to reseed itself under proper management. Stems are smaller in diameter and less rigid than alfalfa stems and can grow to a height of 12 to 30 inches depending on whether it is a prostrate or erect variety. Flowers are bright yellow (4 to 8 per stem) with each flower producing one seed pod. Seed pods radiate from the flower stalk, resembling a bird’s foot. Leaves are compound with five oval leaflets. Birdsfoot trefoil has a well developed tap root with numerous lateral branches in the upper 15 inches of soil

Forage: Birdsfoot trefoil is used as a high quality, non-bloating legume for pastures, hay and stock-piling.

Erosion control: Birdsfoot trefoil is often used for mine reclamation and other sites with marginal soils.

Wildlife: Birdsfoot trefoil is used in wildlife mixes and is an excellent food source for deer.

Common Name: bird's foot trefoil  

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Fabaceae

Zone: 4 to 9

Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet

Spread: 1.50 to 2.50 feet

Bloom Time: May to October

Bloom Description: Yellow

Germ Days:14-21 Days

Sun: Full sun

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize

Flower: Showy

Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Erosion, Clay Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil

 Also attracts deer, turkey, and rabbit.