Birds Foot Trefoil is a perennial member of the Pea family. Also known as Bacon and Eggs, Fingers and Thumbs, Birds Claws, Cats Claws, and Lady's Slipper - in fact the plant has over 70 different English names. It grows to about 16 ins (41 cm) tall and produces dainty, yellow, pea-like flowers (which smell nice on warm days) on thin stems from May to October. Very common wildflower.The lotus part of the plant's name refers to the flower shape. Corniculatus means horned (Greek). It was thought to be the plant of the godchild of the Queen of the Fairies and King Arthur's dwarf, Tom Thumb.
It is normally found in dry grassland, hay meadows and open woods in the wild. It is the food plant of the Common Blue butterfly and bees. It is also the food plant of the following butterfly caterpillars: Chalk Hill Blue, Clouded yellow, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, green Hair Streak, Marbled White, Pale Clouded Yellow, Short-tailed Blue, Silver Spotted Skipper, and Wood White. Also the Small Pearl and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and the Burnet moth. Also food plant of the caterpillars of the following moths - Belted Beauty, Chalk Carpet and Latticed Heather.
Will grow in coastal areas. Doesn't like very fertile soil, tall grass or woodland. It can be grown in a lawn that is frequently cut - to be used as the food source of the Common Blue butterfly in particular, you need to ensure the grass is kept cut to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) high.
Birds Foot Trefoil was one of the plants woven into protective wreaths on midsummer's night - probably because the plant is associated with the Holy Trinity due to its three trifoliate leaves. Its claw-like seedpods meant that the plant had to be associated with the Devil. The plant also has elfin connections.
Plant out in well-drained soil.