Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus – formerly Lotus uliginosus), is sometimes known as Marsh Bird’s-foot Trefoil is a member of the pea family.
This plant likes to grow in open , damp conditions and is larger than other species, growing to a height of around 80 cm with the leaflets reaching as long as 25 mm and 20 mm broad. It produces between 5 – 12 bright, golden yellow coloured flowers which can be 18 mm long at the top of the erect stem. The stem is hollow and the sepals turn black at the tip at the end of the flower bud, with the peak flowering time being June to July.
Greater birdsfoot trefoil does share many features with the Common Birdsfoot Trefoil, but the Greater birdsfoot trefoil has a darker foliage with a shorter, hollow stem. The seeds of Greater birdsfoot trefoil are brown / green in colour and not the red / brown colour of the Common Birdsfoot Trefoil.
Height: Up to 30cm
Flowering Time: June to Aug
Preferred Conditions: Loves to grow in damp grassland areas, such as marshland, ponds and river banks, with a slight preference to acidic soil.
