bird's-foot trefoil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “bird's-foot trefoil” mean?
A low-growing plant of the pea family, with clusters of small yellow or orange flowers and seed pods resembling a bird's foot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A low-growing plant of the pea family, with clusters of small yellow or orange flowers and seed pods resembling a bird's foot.
A common wildflower of grasslands and coastal areas, often used for soil improvement, as forage, or as an ornamental ground cover.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is a common name for Lotus corniculatus. In the US, the term is known but less common, often used in botanical contexts; regional wildflower names may be preferred.
Connotations
UK: Familiar wildflower, associated with meadows, nature writing. US: More specialist botanical term.
Frequency
More frequent in UK natural history and gardening contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bird's-foot trefoil” in a Sentence
[The/Some] bird's-foot trefoil [verb: grows/flourishes/blooms] [prepositional phrase: in the meadow/on the bank].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bird's-foot trefoil” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verge was bird's-foot-trefoiling nicely.
adjective
British English
- A bird's-foot-trefoil patch adorned the slope.
American English
- The bird's-foot-trefoil cover was extensive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in horticulture or seed trade.
Academic
Used in botany, ecology, and agricultural science papers.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; used by gardeners, walkers, nature enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in botanical keys, field guides, and ecological surveys.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bird's-foot trefoil”
- Misspelling as 'birds-foot trefoil' (missing apostrophe), 'bird-foot trefoil' (singular), or 'bird's-foot trifoil'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not considered toxic but is generally not consumed by humans; it is used as forage for livestock.
Yes, it is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial suitable for sunny, well-drained spots and wildflower meadows.
No, clover (Trifolium) is a different genus, though both have three leaflets ('trefoil' means 'three-leaved').
It is a nectar source for bees and butterflies and a food plant for the larvae of several butterfly species.
A low-growing plant of the pea family, with clusters of small yellow or orange flowers and seed pods resembling a bird's foot.
Bird's-foot trefoil is usually technical/botanical, literary in register.
Bird's-foot trefoil: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːdz fʊt ˈtrɛfɔɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɜrdz ˌfʊt ˈtrɛfɔɪl/ ˈtrifɔɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird stepping on a three-leafed plant, leaving a footprint of claw-like seed pods.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT IS A BIRD (footprint shape).
Practice
Quiz
What characteristic gives bird's-foot trefoil its name?