Bird's-Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
A plant, flowering from June to September, often found on sandy soil along pathways. This is an introduced species in North America and very common around Montreal.
Last changed on 2024-12-21
Common Names
- Bird's-Foot Trefoil 🇨🇦
- Lotier corniculé 🇫🇷
- Gewöhnlicher Hornklee 🇩🇪
- Trébol Criollo, Loto Corniculado, Zapaticos de la Virgen 🇲🇽
Photos
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Characteristics & Identification
How to Identify
Identified by its vivid yellow color and the typical, asymmetric shape of the petals. Usually low growing but can get up to 20 cm in height.
Where and When to Spot
Found in almost every park around Montreal all summer long.
Taxonomy
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Species: Lotus corniculatus
Morphology
Flowers
- Color: yellow
- Shape: papilionaceous
- Inflorescence: umbel
Leaves
- Arrangement: alternate
- Petiole: short
- Shape: pinnate
- Margin: entire
- Venation: pinnate
References
Observations by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvédère Outremont | - | x | - | x |
| Champ des Possibles | x | - | - | - |
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
| Parc de la Cité | - | x | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | - | x | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.