How to Grow and Care for Lotus

Common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a common flowering perennial plant that grows widely throughout Europe and North America. Commercially, it is often added to livestock feed to prevent bloating. In Britain, common bird's-foot trefoil is often referred to as "butter and eggs" due to its flowering appearance and golden color. It attracts bumblebees and is considered an invasive species in North America and Australia.

Big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) is a European species of pea, though many of its features are quite distinct from related plants. It grows along rivers, marshes, and other wetlands. Big trefoil has become a popular garden plant in Great Britain, and can sprout from seed quite easily.

With a fascinating name like cretan bird's-foot trefoil, there must a reason, and in this case the name derives from the plant's appearance. It looks like a bird foot, and its leaves evoke the shape of a clover. It features hairy gray-green leaves, and its yellow petals are bilabiate, growing in pairs of an inner and outer "lip" that help protect its pollen.

Slender bird's-foot trefoil is the tallest growing species in the genus reaching, up to 1 m in height, and producing tall summer flower spikes with up to 12 blooms per cluster. The flowers are also a brighter yellow than similar species.

The stark contrast created between grey bird's-foot-trefoil's bright, yellow flowers and luscious green leaves means it is sure to catch the eye. The perennial herb is typically found in coastal mountainous regions. It provides food to larvae of some butterfly species.