May 29, 2008
Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus
The new meadow areas at Fresh Pond Reservation have been seeded with this low-growing member of the Pea Family. Like other legumes, it has the ability to transform atmospheric nitrogen, which cannot be utilized by most plants, into nitrate, which can be used. Since nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all plants, legumes are often planted to enrich soil in preparation for the planting of other crops.