June 8, 2005
Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus
These bright flowers can be found in many sunny locations on the Reservation. Like other legumes, they are able to grow in poor soil because they harbor in their roots bacteria that are able to "fix" atmospheric nitrogen, converting it into nitrates or nitrites and making it available to the plant. Legumes are often planted by farmers to improve soil for other crops that can use only nitrogen from the soil.