Lotus corniculatus - Bird's-foot-trefoil - (Fabaceae)

This most attractive member of the Pea family of flowers is common throughout the UK and Ireland and can be found in many European countries, too, including Slovenia where we saw many plants on the roadside verges and in the Alpine meadows.

It is a low-growing plant which is sometimes called 'bacon and eggs' because of its variegated colours as the flowers are opening. Once fully open, the flowers become more of a uniform yellow.

Common Bird's-foot-trefoil

The first blossoms usually appear in late April or early May, and flowering continues until mid September. Bird's-foot-trefoil is found in all sorts of grassland, including on roadsides and riverbanks where the soil is well drained.

Closeup of Common Bird's-foot-trefoil

This plant is sometimes called 'Bacon-and-eggs' because of the two colours of the flowers as they open.

The photographs on this page were taken close to the coast in West Wales in May.