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Plants

Trifolium ornithopodioides

Birdsfoot Fenugreek

an annual or perennial member of the Trifolium genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, perennial
Height
0.2 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[5]. The dried leaves are coumarin-scented and have been suggested as a substitute for fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)[2].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
Southern and western Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south to N. Africa.
Habitat
Dry sandy places in southern England, mainly near the coast[5][1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ. If the seed is in short supply it might be better to sow it in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[3]. In the wild plants are found in open habitats that are moist or wet in winter[6]. Plants are also likely to be resistant to maritime exposure. Succeeds in poor soils. It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better[4]. It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias[4]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3]. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate[4].

References

  1. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  4. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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