Lotus Species, Big Trefoil, Greater Bird's-Foot-Trefoil, Lotus Grass, Marsh Bird's-Foot Trefoil

I was looking for a yellow blooming ground cover to mix in with other perennials. After reading about this plant I decided to try it fro...Read Morem seed. Germinated indoors and planted outdoors in peat pots. Was a bit slow getting established the first summer. But by end of that summer had proved to be a prolific grower and bloomer. It has easily come back every year without being invasive.
Horse owners should however beware of this plant. It has been mass planted in both the US and southern Canada as foraging for both cattle and sheep. However, horses can not tolerate the tannin this plant contains.
I planted this on a steep slope in full sun. It seems to needs no particular care other than an occasional watering during very dry weather.

Lotus pedunculatus (formerly uliginosus) is an herbaceous perennial found in a wide range of habitats - paddocks, scrublands and gardens...Read More. Its flowers, which are bright yellow with the sepals turning back at the tips, are a source of nectar for many insects. It is an agricultural forage plant with stems which are usually hollow. It is also known as Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil or Marsh Bird's Foot Trefoil.

A tough perennial native to Western Europe, has hairy leaves divided into 5 leaflets. Bears yellow sometimes reddish tinged pea flowers ...Read Moreeach head comprising of 5 - 12 flowers. Seed pods turn purple/black and are held like a birds foot.

Good plant for pondside planting, natural habitat is damp grassland.