What is "lotus corniculatus"

Crowtoe \Crow"toe`\ (kr[=o]"t[=o]`), n. (Bot.)

1. The Lotus corniculatus.
   --Dr. Prior.

2. An unidentified plant, probably the crowfoot. ``The tufted crowtoe.''
   --Milton.

Lotus corniculatus is a common flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to grassland in temperate Eurasia and North Africa. Common names include common bird's-foot trefoil and just bird's-foot trefoil, though the common name is often also applied to other members of the genus. It is also known in cultivation in North America as bird's-foot deervetch.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant, similar in appearance to some clovers. The flowers are mostly visited by bumblebees and develop into small pea-like pods or legumes. The name 'bird's foot' refers to the appearance of the seed pods on their stalk. Five leaflets are present, but with the central three held conspicuously above the others, hence the use of the name 'trefoil'. It is often used as forage and is widely used as food for livestock due to its nonbloating properties.