Lotus corniculatus
In Missouri, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) occurs statewide, but mostly north of the Missouri River in fields, roadsides, waste places, and on other disturbed areas.
Native to Europe, this plant was planted widely in Missouri to prevent erosion at highway construction sites. It is also planted for cattle forage, but when it escapes to native habitats, it causes ecological degradation.
Birdsfoot trefoil is a many-branched perennial with prostrate to ascending stems reaching six to 24 inches tall. Flowers are in umbels, terminal, with the typical configuration of pea flowers, bright golden yellow. Blooms May–September. The leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets (a terminal and 2 opposite) some distance below. Two basal leaves are actually stipules, not technically part of the compound leaf, but added to the true leaflets it looks like there are 5 total leaflets. All are variably oblong. Fruits are beaked, slender, upright pods bearing 5-14 seeds.
To control it, low mowing can prevent flowers from going to seed. Chemical application is most effective in the spring or fall. MCPA and Clopyralid may be effective with repeated applications. Selective, postemergence herbicide combinations for effective control are:
2,4-D + MCPP + Dicamba -or-
MCPP + MCPA + Dicamba + Carfentrazone or Triclopyr
Milestone® (aminopyralid) at 5 to 7 per acre broadcast or 1/4 ounce per gallon of water with surfactant added for spot treatment, or a product containing triclopyr at a 0.5 to 1.5% solution with surfactant added.
Find more details at the MDC birdsfoot trefoil page.
Identification and fact sheets
- Learn about birdsfoot trefoil at Invasive.org
- Explore MoIP’s Missouri invasive plant resources
- Read more from the Missouri Department of Conservation Field Guide about identification, human connections, and ecosystem connections of birdsfoot trefoil
Representative photos of birdsfoot trefoil:
Birdsfoot trefoil impact, abundance, and trend in Missouri
