Bird's-Foot Trefoil (2)
Lotus species are native to Eurasia and have been introduced to North America as forage crops and for roadbank stabilization.
Bird's-foot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Family:
Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA:
Birdfoot Deervetch
Photo taken on:
May 30, 2022
Location:
Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones:
Plains to foothills
Habitat:
Disturbed soil, fields,
lawns
Grows 6" to 24" high. Leaves are rounded and clover-like with three leaflets and two leaflets at the base of the stalk where it joins the stem. 2 to 8 bright yellow, pea-like flowers about ½inch long grow in a whorl at the top of the stalk.
Flora of North America reference.
Narrow-leaf Bird's-foot Trefoil
Lotus tenuis
Family:
Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA:
Narrowleaf Trefoil, Slender Trefoil
Photo taken on:
July 8, 2025
Location:
South of Almont, CO
Life Zones:
Plains to foothills
Habitat:
Disturbed soil, fields, poor
and saline soils
Grows from 1" to 36" high, sometimes prostrate. Leaves are lance-shaped and narrower than Lotus corniculatus with three leaflets. 3 to 5 bright yellow, pea-like flowers no more than ½inch long grow in a whorl at the top of the stalk.
This was growing in a field at 8,000 feet. FNA says it grows up to an elevation of 3,300 feet.
Flora of North America reference.