arrow_back Species Library
greater bird's-foot-trefoil
Wildflowers Active during the day

greater bird's-foot-trefoil

Lotus pedunculatus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A golden beacon of the marshlands, the greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a vital wetland survivor. Its hollow stems and nitrogen-fixing roots support a buzzing world of butterflies and bees.

0 Sightings
0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Stems reach 30–100 cm (12–39 in) in length; flower heads are approximately 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.

palette

Colors

Bright golden-yellow flowers often veined with red or orange; dark green foliage.

visibility

Key Features

  • Hollow stems that are often slightly hairy
  • Flower heads containing 5 to 15 individual pea-like blooms
  • Trifoliate leaves with two additional leaf-like stipules at the base
  • Sprawling or climbing growth habit in wet soil
add_a_photo
Is this a greater bird's-foot-trefoil?

Drop a photo or video to find out instantly

When You’ll See Them

schedule
Activity pattern Active during the day
brightness_5
Peak hours 9 AM - 5 PM
calendar_month
Season June-August
restaurant
Diet Autotrophic; produces energy via photosynthesis while fixing nitrogen through root nodules.
park
Habitat Wetlands, marshes, damp hay meadows, riverbanks, and boggy garden edges.

public Geographic range

Where Does the greater bird's-foot-trefoil Live?

Native to a broad swathe of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, the greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a master of temperate wetland environments. It has been widely introduced and naturalized in North America, New Zealand, and Australia, where it is often utilized in permanent pastures. In its native range, it remains a signature species of traditional damp grasslands and undisturbed marshy verges.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

7 Countries
42M km² Range
Least Concern Conservation
GB United Kingdom
3,425
DE Germany
697
FR France
Marginal
US United States
Marginal
CA Canada
Marginal
eco
iNaturalist / Verified observation data
View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Wildflowers arrow_forward

Behavior

The greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a robust perennial that thrives in saturated soils where other plants might struggle. Unlike its smaller cousin, the common bird's-foot-trefoil, this species uses its hollow stems to maintain buoyancy and structural integrity in marshy ground. It spreads effectively through a network of underground rhizomes, allowing it to form dense, gold-capped colonies that stabilize wet banks and provide thick cover for wetland wildlife.

In the ecosystem, this plant acts as a vital nitrogen fixer. Through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria in its root nodules, it converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that enriches the surrounding soil. This makes it an essential 'nursery' plant in damp meadows, facilitating the growth of diverse plant communities. During the day, its flowers serve as a high-traffic hub for long-tongued insects, particularly bumblebees and the Common Blue butterfly.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the greater bird's-foot-trefoil effectively, you need to focus on its role as a pollinator magnet. Place your AI-powered camera on a low-profile stake, approximately 15 to 20 inches from the ground, angled slightly downward to catch the top of the flower umbels. Because this plant grows in damp areas, ensure your equipment is well-sealed against moisture and check that the mounting isn't sinking into soft mud.

The best time for photography is during the height of summer, from June to August, when the plant is in full bloom. Use a 'Macro' or 'Close-Up' setting if your camera supports it, as the intricate red veining on the yellow petals is a fantastic diagnostic feature. Bright, overcast days are actually better than direct midday sun, as the soft light prevents the bright yellow flowers from appearing 'blown out' or overexposed in your images.

If you want to capture more than just a static image, set your camera to a high-sensitivity motion trigger or a short-interval time-lapse. This species is the primary food plant for the larvae of the Common Blue butterfly and a preferred nectar source for many bees. By focusing on a healthy cluster of flowers between 10 AM and 2 PM, you are highly likely to record a variety of winged visitors. For those looking for long-term data, a photo taken once a day from May to September will beautifully document the plant's sprawling growth and eventual seed pod development—the 'bird's foot' for which it is named.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with greater bird's-foot-trefoil.

Common Bird's-foot-trefoil

Has a solid stem and fewer flowers (2-7) per cluster compared to the greater's hollow stem and 5-15 flowers.

Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot-trefoil

Features much thinner, more linear leaflets and thrives in drier, often salty coastal soils.

Browse all Wildflowers arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

As a plant, it is 'active' during daylight hours when its flowers are open. To see the most activity around the plant, monitor it between 9 AM and 5 PM when bees and butterflies are most active.
This plant loves 'wet feet.' You can attract it by creating a bog garden, installing a wildlife pond with marshy edges, or leaving damp depressions in your lawn unmown.
They don't eat in the animal sense; they photosynthesize sunlight and absorb minerals from damp soil. They also 'manufacture' their own nitrogen fertilizer via bacteria in their roots.
They are quite common in suburban gardens with ponds or in drainage ditches and damp parklands where the soil remains consistently moist.
The easiest way is to squeeze the stem; the greater variety is hollow, while the common variety is solid. Also, the greater variety has 5-15 flowers per head, whereas the common type has only 2-7.

Record greater bird's-foot-trefoil at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo