Not to be semantically confused with : Bird's-Foot (Carex ornithopoda), Bird-in-a-bush (Corydalis solida), Bird's-eyes (Gilia tricolor), Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus angustissimus), Common Bird's-foot-Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Large Bird's-foot-Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) or Orange Bird's-foot (Ornithopus pinnatus) [plants with similar names, many in the same family Fabaceae, but differing genera and some not].
It is a procumbent and annual species growing to 20cm long with small pinkish-white flowers in small groups. The leaves have fewer but more prounced teeth than most other Clover family plants. It grows usually near the sea on sandy and little-shaded ground. It is found on the coasts from North Norfolk to South Lancs via the south coast. Also around the IoM and County Down Ireland.
Somewhat paradoxically, some sources claim that this plant, Bird's-foot Clover Trifolium ornithopodioides is Fenugreek , but it appears that that is not the case. It apparently has a Coumarin like scent and can be used as a Fenugreek substitute. The real Fenugreek is Trigonalla foenum-graecum and is also a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae) (as is Bird's-foot Clover).
USE BY BUTTERFLIES
LAYS EGGS ON |
CATERPILLAR |
CHRYSALIS |
BUTTERFLY |
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Clouded Yellow Pale Clouded Yellow Mazarine Blue Short-tailed Blue |
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