Bloomipedia
Greater bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus)
Photo: giantcicada via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Greater bird's-foot-trefoil

Lotus pedunculatus

Greater bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–August across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Greater bird's-foot-trefoil is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Washington it's most often seen in bloom in June–August.

7states where USDA records it
2,242WA sightings*
3,951U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Washington

Quick look

Lotus pedunculatus, the big trefoil, greater bird's-foot-trefoil or marsh bird's-foot trefoil, is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae).

  • It belongs to the Fabaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 7 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–August. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 8 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,242 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #83 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Washington, most flowering sightings come in June–August.

Flowering records by month in Washington (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (415 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe
Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records greater bird's-foot-trefoil in 7 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Snohomish.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Greater bird's-foot-trefoil a high shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.3 and winter lows down to 2 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
6.0 to 7.3
Minimum temperature tolerated
2 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
165
Annual precipitation range
40 to 55 inches
Minimum root depth
12 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
High
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring, Summer, Fall
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LOPE80. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Lotus decumbens, Lotus uliginosus.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 23 counties across 5 states; the most are in Oregon (13), California (4), Hawaii (3).

Other Lotus on Bloomipedia (1): Bird's-foot trefoil.

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lupines, White clover, Red clover, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Partridge pea, White sweetclover, Common vetch.

More Washington flowers

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)

Scotch broom

Cytisus scoparius

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in WA: April–June
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover

Trifolium pratense

★ VT state flowerIntroduced

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–September
White clover (Trifolium repens)

White clover

Trifolium repens

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Sources