Birds-foot Trefoil

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus)

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil is a yellow flowering perennial, similar in appearance to Common Birds-foot Trefoil although taller with grey-green foliage. Both wild flowers bear the distinctive pale to dark yellow flowers and long cylindrical seed pods. It is also a Laval food plant for a number of British Butterflies.

Where could I find it?

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil may be found in damp grassland and amongst grasses on edge of woodland tracks and verges.

When does it flower?

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil flowers appear June – August, on long hollow stems. They provide a nectar source for long tongued insects like Butterflies, Moths and Bees in exchange for pollination.

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil (ILotus-uliginosus) close-up on yellow flower

Greater Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus)

Plant Information

Name: Greater Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus)
Family: fabaceae (Pea Family)
Similar in appearence to: Common Birds-foot Trefoil
Flowering: June-August
Height: around 50-60cm
larval food plant: Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus), Dingy Skipper, Wood White
Nectar Plant to: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue.
Photographed: 26th June 2012.
Location: South Lincolnshire

Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas)

A native wildflower, Common Birds-foot Trefoil with small distinctive yellow to orange petalled flowers, is low growing and often be found amongst the grasses on woodland rides, roadside verges and in grazed meadows.

Flowering from May to September, the bright yellow flowers attract butterflies, moths and other insects, after flowering seed pods develop appear in the shape of a birds foot.

Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas) close up of the flowers

Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas) close up of the Small delicate flowers

Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas) Native British Wild Flower

Common Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatas) growing amongst grasses

Plant Information

Family: fabaceae (Pea Family)
Flower type: 5 lobed, papilionaceous
Flowering: May-October
Height: around 40cm
larval food plant: Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), Dingy Skipper Butterfly (Erynnis tages)
Nectar Plant to: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue.
Photographed: 17th July 2010.
Location: Barnack Hills and Holes.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)

Widespread in mainland Britain and parts of Ireland, the Common Blue is considered as its name suggests the most commonly found species from the 20 Lycaenidae (blue) group of butterflies in the UK.

Seen from April-September emerging in several broods.Common Blue Butterflies are found in a wide rage of habitats including, grassy meadows, bridleways, roadside verges, heathland and on urban waste ground, most often seen, perched up off the ground, on a tall wild flower or grass stem.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) Female in sunshine

Quick Info

Family Group: Lycaenidae
Wingspan approx: 32mm
Caterpillar Food Plants: Birds-foot Trefoil, Greater Birds-foot Trefoil, Black Medic (Medicago lupulina), Common Restharrow (Ononis repens)
Nectar Plant: Knapweeds, Wild Marjoram, Daisies, Common Ragwort, Sow Thistle
Photographed – 23 June 2010
Location – Barnack Hills and Holes.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) Male in sunshine

The upper wings of the male common blue are violet blue with narrow black margins and white fringes unlike the female’s which are brown, tinted with blue scales with orange crescents on the outer margins of the fore-wings and orange crescents with black spots with on the margins of the hind-wings.The under wings of both the male and females are brownish grey with black and orange spots.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) wings closed underside

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) wing undersides