Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), also known as Greater Birdfoot Deervetch, is a perennial flowering plant native to the United Kingdom, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is commonly found in various habitats, including wetlands, marshes, damp grasslands, and along riverbanks and ponds across the UK.

Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil thrives in nutrient-rich, moist to wet soils, often favouring habitats with full sun or partial shade. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, making it adaptable to different wetland environments.

Predators of Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil include herbivores such as grazing mammals and waterfowl, which may feed on its foliage. However, its bitter-tasting leaves and the presence of secondary compounds often deter extensive browsing.

As a perennial plant, Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil can live for several years, forming dense clumps of upright stems and producing clusters of bright yellow pea-like flowers in summer. It reproduces via seeds, which are dispersed by wind or animals, and it also spreads vegetatively through rhizomes, allowing it to colonise wetland habitats.

Culturally, Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil is valued for its role in wetland conservation and restoration projects. It provides habitat and food for various species of insects, birds, and other wildlife, contributing to the overall biodiversity of wetland ecosystems.

An interesting fact about Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil is its ability to thrive in nitrogen-fixing wetland habitats, where it forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules. This capability allows it to colonise nutrient-poor soils and contribute to the ecological health of wetland ecosystems.