I’m pretty sure I’ve correctly identified that plant with yellow flowers that I described in my previous entry. It’s most likely birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Here are three shots I took on Saturday, July 8, here in Northfield, Minnesota:

You can see in the first picture how it spills over curbs, and in the third picture note how it takes over lawns. This last picture was taken on Lincoln Parkway, near Greenvale School, where there’s a large concentration of these plants.

I haven’t had the identification of birdsfoot trefoil confirmed by someone more expert than I, but I’m fairly confident about it based on Internet pictures. I identified it via a useful Weed Identification site created by the University of Illinois. Also, a Purdue University Forage Page on the plant has some excellent photos, which also show the seed pods of the plant, from which it gets its name. The pods look a bit like a bird’s foot. Birdsfoot trefoil is a grass legume plant, so it’s used for feeding cattle, according to the University of Missouri Extension. It’s also planted along roadsides to reduce erosion.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) considers the plant to be an invasive species. This import from Eurasia and North Africa chokes out native species. See also the nicely scientific Wikepedia entry.

Ah well, it’s a pretty plant, and it’s nice to know about it. I’ll enjoy it for now, even if it’s an alien.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 10th, 2006 at 1:17 pm and is filed under Environment and Ecology, Gardening, Minnesota, Northfield, Photos.