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Lotus corniculatus - L.

Common Name Bird's Foot Trefoil
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides(hydrogen cyanide)[65, 76]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. This species is polymorphic for cyanogenic glycosides[218]. The flowers of some forms of the plant contain traces of prussic acid and so the plants can become mildly toxic when flowering[218]. They are completely innocuous when dried[218].
Habitats Pastures and sunny banks of streams, especially on calcareous soils[7, 13, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lotus corniculatus Bird


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Lotus_corniculatus.jpg
Lotus corniculatus Bird
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Kumbayo

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lotus corniculatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Lawn; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seedpod
Edible Uses:

The young seedpods are 'nibbled'[177]. Caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory  Antispasmodic  Cardiotonic  Carminative  Febrifuge  Hypoglycaemic  Restorative  Sedative  
Tonic  Vermifuge

Carminative, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, restorative, vermifuge[178]. The flowers are antispasmodic, cardiotonic and sedative[7]. The root is carminative, febrifuge, restorative and tonic[218]. The plant is used externally as a local anti-inflammatory compress in all cases of skin inflammation[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Green manure

An orange-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[74]. A useful green manure plant, fixing atmospheric nitrogen[7]. It is difficult to see this plant as a useful green manure, it is fairly slow growing with us and does not produce much bulk[K].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Rock garden. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Does well on poor soils[61]. An important food plant for many caterpillars[30]. It is also a good bee plant[74], the flowers providing an important source of nectar[240]. The flowers are powerfully scented, even though they are able to pollinate themselves[245]. The plant spreads very freely at the roots[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Special Features:Attracts butterflies. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from runners away from the plant [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in the spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 15°c. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Peter C Horn   Thu Sep 28 2006

Although the plant has medicinal uses, it has no history in Gt Britain as a medicinal herb. It does not appear in the Anglo-Saxon Herbals, or later Herbals such as Culpeper, Gerard down to Mrs Grieve (1931). Nor does the plant appear in Turner's 'Names of Plants.'This is strange considering that the plant is a very common native of England.

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