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| ## birdsfoot trefoil {#birdsfoot-trefoil .Title-Header}               |
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| *Lotus corniculatus* L.                                               |
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| Plant Symbol = LOCO6                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, Lansing,
Michigan

![Color image of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus
corniculatus)](media/image2.png){width="2.0in"
height="3.0125984251968503in"}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

birdfoot deervetch

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: Birdsfoot trefoil is used along roadsides to control
wind and water erosion.

*Wildlife*: Birdsfoot trefoil is a choice food for Canada goose, deer,
and elk. As ground cover, it provides green cover most of the year and
blooms profusely. It is used for pheasant cover on shooting preserves
and around ponds at duck clubs.

*Livestock*: This species is used for green chop, hay and pasture. It is
seeded in combination with grass and grazed as a non-bloating legume. It
yields 4 tons of hay per acre on deep, well-drained soils receiving
irrigation or adequate rainfall. As a dryland pasture legume, birdsfoot
trefoil produces 20% more growth after July 1 than most dryland grass
legume mixtures.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Birdsfoot trefoil is a moderately long-lived herbaceous perennial
legume. It has a well developed, branching, tap-like root with side
roots near the soil surface. Most cultivars are erect and grow to a
height of 2 to 3 feet. 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. There are an average
of 375,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Birdsfoot trefoil is generally used in areas that receive 20 inches of
precipitation or more. It is suited to low and moderately fertile soils
with relatively poor internal drainage but is usually less productive
than alfalfa on fertile, deep, well-drained soils. It performs well on
soils too shallow or too poorly drained for alfalfa. It is equal to
alfalfa in tolerance to saline-alkaline soils and is adapted to soils of
medium acidity. The best pH range for establishment is 6.0 to 6.5 though
it tolerates a broader pH range of 5.5 to 7.5.

Birdsfoot trefoil is distributed throughout the majority of the United
States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile
page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

For forage production birdsfoot trefoil is typically seeded at 4 to 8
pounds per acre either alone or with a grass. Seeding rates for erosion
control practices may run considerably higher depending on the mix and
geographic location. Seed should be inoculated and drilled 1/4 inch deep
during early spring or late summer, with orchardgrass, timothy, meadow
foxtail, or tall fescue. If planting in late summer or in sandy soils,
increase seeding depth to ½ inch. Midsummer seedings are hazardous
unless soil moisture is above normal and growing conditions are good.
Seedbed preparation and seeding must be done carefully. Seed is small
and many stands are lost by poor seedbed preparation, deep seeding,
inadequate soil fertility, poor inoculation or failure to use specific
inoculant, and excessive competition from weeds. The seedbed needs to be
mellow, firm and smooth. Band seeding of birdsfoot trefoil is highly
recommended. Fertilize and lime according to soil tests. Phosphorous is
particularly critical in low fertility soils and is best utilized if
banded 1½ - 2" directly below the seed. Since birdsfoot trefoil
seedlings grow quite slowly, rapidly growing weeds will shade and stunt
its growth. Early weed control will greatly improve the chance of a
successful planting. Control pests, especially spittlebugs and
leafhoppers.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Regrowth of birdsfoot trefoil differs from that of alfalfa in that it
originates at buds formed in leaf axils. Close grazing that takes all
stem growth is very detrimental to regrowth and stand life. Delay spring
grazing until plants are at least 8 inches high. Allow 24 to 38 days
regrowth between grazings and leave a 4 inch stubble after grazing.
Additionally, 60 day rest periods every 3 years helps to maintain the
stand. Hay harvest should leave 4 to 6 inches of stubble to ensure good
regrowth.

Birdsfoot trefoil does not cause bloat in ruminant animals. To protect
the life of the stand, it does require careful management. Birdsfoot
must be allowed to grow to maturity every third year or so in order to
produce a seed crop\--thus sustaining the stand. Birdsfoot trefoil
benefits from readily available phosphorous. Phosphorous should be
applied annually based on local soil testing recommendations.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Crown and root rots are the most significant diseases of birdsfoot
trefoil. The trefoil seed chalcid, *Bruchophagus kolobovae* Fed., is a
small, black, wasp-like insect that can be destructive in seed fields.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Some of the most common upright or hay-type varieties used in the
Northeast US are 'Norcen', 'Viking', 'Mansfield', and 'Leo'. 'Empire',
'Dawn', and 'Fergus' are low-growing, pasture-type varieties. The
European trefoil is not a variety, but merely refers to trefoil seed
imported from Europe. European trefoil is lower yielding than the US
varieties and this seed is not recommended. 'Cascade' (France),
'Granger', 'Mackinaw' (IA naturalized), and 'Kalo' (France) are
principal cultivars in the west. Seed is readily available at commercial
seedhouses.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

Tony Bush

USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, East Lansing, Michigan

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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