ITP Logo

Lotus corniculatus

Species category

Agricultural, Revegetation or Rangeland

Common name

bird's-foot trefoil, garden bird's-foot-trefoil, bloomfell, cat's clover, crowtoes, ground honeysuckle, birdfoot deervetch

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 to globose

Size

  • Length 1.4–1.6 mm
  • Width 1.1–1.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.8–1 mm

Color

Brown, often with purple or yellow flecks

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is small, round and surrounded by a whitish collar.

Identification notes

Seeds are broadly ovalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 and rotund. Olive brown color often flecked with dark or light colors.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Lotus corniculatus L.

Lotus corniculatus.  Olive brown seeds that are often flecked with dark or light colors. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Lotus corniculatus. Olive brown seeds that are often flecked with dark or light colors. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.