Purshings Lotus

Scientific Name: Lotus purshianus

Lotus Purshianus, also known as American birdsfoot trefoil and Spanish clover, is native to western and central North America. It is named after its compound leaves with three leaflets that resemble a bird’s foot, which bloom in the spring and summer. This annual legume grows to be about 1 foot tall, with pea-like clusters of pink and white blooms. It is often found in sandy soils or in meadows, prairies, and open woodlands. American birdsfoot trefoil is a cool season legume that is used for soil stabilization, and as forage for livestock and wildlife and is attractive to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. It can be grown up to 7200 feet in elevation.

Host plant: gray hairstreak, Afrainius dusky wing, and Acmon blue