Birdsfoot Trefoil Wildflower

This is a common plant from the legume family, often found on drier soils. Due to its red and yellow flowers its sometimes called the 'eggs & bacon' plant.

Uses

Generally sown as part of a wild flower meadow mixture.

Persistence

This is a long lived perennial species.

Strengths

Its is a reliable and robust plant, which is a useful resource for pollinators.

Ideal Sowing Time

Sow in the autumn or spring.

Management

This species will not persist in pasture which has been improved with competitive grasses and with high levels of nitrogen applied.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
This is a particularly small seed that is rounded in shape. It has a browny, black colour and a smooth but matt finish. It is approximately 2mm in size.

Seedling
The plant produces a pair of small oblong cotyledons. The first true leaves begin to form the familiar trifoliate leaf shape.

Flowering Plant
This is a bushy, lightgreen plant, with a solid stem. It produces 3 pointed leaflets at the tip of the stalk, with a further pair of leaflets at the juncture of the leaf and stem. The flowers are borne on long stems, arranged in a semicircle around the peduncles. The flowers are a vigrant yellow, with red buds. The plant goes on to produce 3 or 4 seed pods on each stalk, giving the apperance of a leathery gnarled birdsfoot.

Additional Info

Flowers from June to August. Birdsfoot trefoil can reach up to 25cm in height.

You can find Birdsfoot Trefoil Wildflower in the following mixtures

• Cotswold Wild Flora
• Chalk & Limestone Soil Mixture
• Flower Rich Margin (AB8)
• Meadow Over-Seeding Just Wild Flowers