Lotus corniculatus
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Lotus corniculatus is a flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae. Common names include common bird's-foot trefoil,<ref name=BSBI07>Template:BSBI 2007</ref> eggs and bacon,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> birdsfoot deervetch,<ref name=usdafactsheet>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and just bird's-foot trefoil<ref name=usda>Template:PLANTS</ref> (a name also often applied to other Lotus spp.). It has a wide distribution and is a favored forage for livestock.
DescriptionEdit
It is a perennial herbaceous plant. The height of the plant is variable, from Template:Convert, occasionally more where supported by other plants; the stems can reach up to Template:Convert long.
The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. Five leaflets are present, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name 'trefoil'.
The flowers bloom from June to September and develop into small pea-like pods or legumes.
The plant had many common English names in Britain, which are now mostly out of use. These names were often connected with the yellow and orange colour of the flowers, e.g. 'butter and eggs'. One name that is still used is eggs and bacon (or bacon and eggs).<ref>Collins English Dictionary</ref>
It is similar in appearance to some clovers.
SubtaxaEdit
The following subspecies are accepted:<ref name="POWO" />
- Lotus corniculatus subsp. afghanicus Template:Small
- Lotus corniculatus subsp. corniculatus
- Lotus corniculatus subsp. delortii Template:Small
- Lotus corniculatus subsp. fruticosus Template:Small
- Lotus corniculatus subsp. preslii Template:Small
Distribution and habitatEdit
Lotus corniculatus has a broad distribution worldwide.<ref name=usda/><ref name="POWO">Template:Cite POWO</ref> It is native to temperate Eurasia and North Africa.Template:Citation needed It is common everywhere in Britain<ref>Martin, K. The Concise British Flora in Colour.</ref> and Ireland.<ref>Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press Template:ISBN</ref><ref name="Hackney"/>
Habitats include old fields, grassy places,<ref>Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968. Excursion Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge University Press. Template:ISBN</ref> and roadsides.<ref name="Hackney">Hackney, P. (Ed) 1992. Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland, Third Edition. Institute of Irish Studies,The Queen's University of Belfast. Template:ISBN</ref> It is typically sprawling at the height of the surrounding grassland. It can survive fairly close grazing, trampling, and mowing. It is most often found in sandy soils.
EcologyEdit
The flowers are mostly visited by bumblebees.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the Chicago Region, mostly non-native bees have been observed visiting the flowers, including Andrena wilkella, Anthidium oblongatum, Apis mellifera and Megachile rotundata.<ref name="fotcr">Template:Cite book</ref> The native bees Bombus impatiens and Megachile relativa have also been observed visiting birdsfoot trefoil flowers, though the latter only rarely.<ref name="fotcr" />
The plant is an important nectar source for many insects and is also used as a larval food plant by many species of Lepidoptera such as six-spot burnet and the silver-studded blue.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is a host plant for the wood white butterfly, Leptidea sinapis.<ref>Clarke, S. A.; Green, D. G.; Joy, J.; Wollen, K.; Butler, I. (2011-04-01). "Leptidea sinapis (Wood White butterfly) egg-laying habitat and adult dispersal studies in Herefordshire". Journal of Insect Conservation. 15 (1-2): 23–35. doi:10.1007/s10841-010-9300-8. ISSN 1366-638X.</ref>
As an invasive speciesEdit
Birdsfoot trefoil is an invasive species in many parts of North America and Australia. It has been commonly planted along roadsides for erosion control or pastures for forage and then spreads into natural areas.<ref name="usdafactsheet" /><ref name="fotcr" /> Once it has established in an area, it can outcompete native species.<ref name="fotcr" /> The use of prescribed fire is not an effective management tool against L. corniculatus and herbicide is recommended instead to control it.<ref name="fotcr" />
Potential health concernsEdit
The species contains cyanogenic glycosides,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which release small amounts of hydrogen cyanide when macerated. This is not normally poisonous to humans, though, as the dose is very low, and the metabolization of cyanide is relatively quick.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Condensed tannins are also present.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
UsesEdit
It is used in agriculture as a forage plant, grown for pasture, hay, and silage. It is a high quality forage that does not cause bloat in ruminants.<ref name="Feedipedia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Taller-growing cultivars have been developed for this.Template:Citation needed It may be used as an alternative to alfalfa in poor soils.
A double-flowered variety is grown as an ornamental plant. It is regularly included as a component of wildflower mixes in Europe. It can also prevent soil erosion and provide a good habitat for wildlife.<ref name="Feedipedia" />
In the traditional medicine of the Sannio regio of Italy, the diluted infusions were used for anxiety, insomnia, and exhaustion.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
GalleryEdit
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