Birdsfoot Trefoil

Found in:

• Lawns (mostly), landscape beds and boulevard areas

Characteristics:

• Low growing (at least in lawn and landscape situations), spreading perennial
• Oval trifoliate leaves (3 leaflets) arise alternately along stem
• Bright yellow, pea-like flowers June through fall
• Spreads by seed, stems and rhizomes (underground stems)
• Clusters of seed pods look like a bird’s foot

Significance:

• Often an indicator plant for low soil nitrogen levels in lawns
• Tolerates low mowing height, will crowd out lawn grasses
• Used as a beneficial pasture plant

Plants that look similar:

• Black Medic
• White Clover
• Yellow Woodsorrel

More information and control options for Birdsfoot Trefoil