Trefoil, bright yellow
by Sarah Das Gupta
a field of eggs and bacon
or granny’s toenails
Bird’s foot trefoil is native to most of Europe. It was taken to North America to enrich the grass for cattle and to prevent erosion at the sides of roads. It has a number of popular names derived from its yellow flowers, tinged with red or the claw shape of the seed pods. It provides feed for caterpillars, bees and butterflies.
‘Trefoil’ is derived from Old French and refers to the pattern of three leaves. For this reason, it was included in Midsummer wreathes, fixed to front doors, as a symbol of the Trinity. Strangely enough, in the Victorian language of flowers, the plant symbolised jealousy and revenge!
Medicinally it was used to treat mild depression and insomnia. Its anti-inflammatory properties were used to alleviate skin conditions. The seed is sold commercially to enrich grazing and forage for cattle. Recently gardeners have planted it to add to the revival of wild flower meadows.
| Botanical name: | Lotus corniculatus |
| Popular names: | Bird’s-foot trefoil, eggs and bacon, granny’s toenails, baby’s slippers |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Origin: | Native to Europe, parts of Asia (taken to N.America) |
| Flowering: | March to June |
| Habitat: | Meadows, rocky-crevices, roadside (Favours sandy soil) |
Further reading:
‘Collins Complete Guide to Wild Flowers’, Paul Sterry, 2006, HarperCollins Publishers.
‘Meadowland: The Private Life of an English Field’, John Lewis-Stempel, 2014, Transworld Publishers Ltd.
Articles from ‘The Woodland Trust‘ and ‘Nature’.
Author bio:
Sarah Das Gupta is a young 81 year old. Loves writing haiku and most forms of poetry. Is learning to walk after an accident. Main outside interests include equine sports. Lives near Cambridge, UK. Read other sciku by Sarah here: ‘Redundant Ergot‘, ‘Redundant Vets’ and ‘Dog’s Mercury’, ‘Mistletoe’ and ‘The Glastonbury Thorn’.