Bird's-foot Trefoil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bird's-foot trefoil
• garden bird's-foot trefoil
• horned trefoil
• Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil
• bird’s-foot trefoil
• common bird's-foot trefoil
• Birdsfoot
• Trefoil
• eggs-and-bacon
• ground honeysuckle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Lotus corniculatus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and is specifically categorized under the genus Lotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Føroyaar and Iceland. The species is also documented within the territory of Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight its preference for northern maritime and continental climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lotus corniculatus is characterized by a highly versatile distribution across diverse landscapes and a broad altitudinal gradient. This species thrives in varied environments, commonly inhabiting crop fields, meadows, and old fields, where it can integrate into disturbed or semi-natural ecosystems. Its adaptive capacity is further evidenced by its extensive elevational range, which begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. With a mean elevation of approximately 2200 m AMSL, the plant demonstrates a significant ability to colonize both lowland agricultural settings and high-altitude montane habitats.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, meadows, old fields

Genetics

The genetics of Lotus corniculatus are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that facilitates significant evolutionary adaptability. The species exhibits a variable ploidy level, with documented chromosome numbers of 12 and 24, indicating the presence of both diploid and tetraploid cytotypes within populations. This chromosomal plasticity, ranging from the diploid state to polyploidy, plays a crucial role in the plant's ability to colonize diverse ecological niches and respond to environmental stressors. Such genetic variation is a fundamental driver of its widespread distribution and robust reproductive strategies across various habitats.

Chromosome number :

12, 24

Life history

The life history of Lotus corniculatus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. This species is deciduous in nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lotus corniculatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic plant rather than an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing tendencies like a vine or liana. The plant height varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum height of 0.03 m, a mean height of approximately 0.427 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.42725 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lotus corniculatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-derived nutrients rather than the capture of prey to supplement its nitrogen requirements. Its leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while leaf widths fluctuate between 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm. This variation contributes to a mean leaf size of approximately 1.32 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 278.32 cm²/g, reflecting its physiological investment in leaf tissue density and surface area optimization for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.3 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.32 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

278.32 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lotus corniculatus is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, which rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically targeting insects such as bees. The flowering period typically commences in May and continues through August. The plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization and lacks asexual reproduction methods, emphasizing its reliance on cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant develops a dry, dehiscence-type fruit classified as a capsule, with an average fruit length of 2.5 cm and an average width of 0.2 cm. Each fruit is prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. These seeds are relatively small and uniform, with a mean length of 1.9 mm, a mean width of 1.5 mm, and a consistent mean volume of 1.3 mm³. The seed mass is quite low, ranging from a minimum of 0.00042 g to a maximum of 0.0017 g, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00106879585714286 g. Dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1.9 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00106879585714286 g

Seed mass min:

0.00042 g

Seed volume max:

1.3 mm³

Seed width mean:

1.5 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lotus corniculatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Lotus corniculatus has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannins, Condensed Tannin, (-)-Vestitol, 8-Hydroxykaempferol, 8-hydroxyquercetin.

Condensed Tannins

1. The Veterinary record
2. Research in veterinary science
3. Canadian journal of microbiology
4. Acta veterinaria Scandinavica

Condensed Tannin

1. Plant molecular biology
2. The British journal of nutrition

(-)-Vestitol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

8-Hydroxykaempferol

1. European journal of biochemistry

8-hydroxyquercetin

1. European journal of biochemistry

8-methoxyflavonol

1. European journal of biochemistry

CTS

1. Plant molecular biology

Flavonoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Geraldol

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Isoflavonoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Lotus corniculatus has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antiprotozoal, Antiviral.

Anticancer

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Antioxidant

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Natural product research

Antifungal

1. Natural product research

Antiprotozoal

1. Natural product research

Antiviral

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Immunostimulant

1. Natural product research

Medicinal Uses

Lotus corniculatus has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, antidiabetic, breast cancer, diuretic, eczema.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations