Lotus pedunculatus, commonly known as Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil, is a perennial herb that is native to wet meadows, marshes, and riverbanks across Europe. It is characterized by its sprawling habit and trifoliate leaves, with each leaflet resembling a bird’s foot. The plant typically grows to a height of 10-60 cm (4-24 inches) and spreads out to form dense patches. Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil produces bright yellow flowers from June to September, which are arranged in umbels and are highly attractive to pollinators. The flowers give way to slender, elongated seed pods that resemble a bird’s foot, hence the common name.

This species is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used for soil stabilization and as a forage plant for livestock due to its high protein content. It is also appreciated for its ornamental qualities in water gardens and naturalistic plantings. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and requires consistently moist to wet soils. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can withstand occasional flooding. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread aggressively by rhizomes and may become a nuisance in some settings.CC BY-SA 4.0