The chicken’s-foot trefoil is a plant with yellow flowers that usually grows wild in meadows and pastures. Also called Lotus corniculatus, this hardy plant is comparable in look to clover and is often used to feed cows and different livestock. Hold studying to find the chicken’s-foot trefoil’s which means and symbolism within the language of flowers.

The chicken’s-foot trefoil, or Lotus corniculatus, is an herbaceous perennial with vivid yellow flowers that tackle a deeper, orange coloring with age. Regardless of its cheerful look, the chicken’s-foot trefoil symbolizes a warning of revenge within the Victorian language of flowers.
Etymological Which means
Merely put, this plant’s etymological which means stems instantly from its look. Its clustered seed pods and stalk resemble the form of a chicken’s foot, and its three distinguished leaflets earned it the identify trefoil. The phrase trefoil comes from the Outdated French trefueil, which implies clover or clover leaf. Various names for the plant embrace:

The widespread chicken’s-foot trefoil flower is a vivid, sunny yellow that takes on a tinge of deep orange over time.
Probably the most distinguished instance of the chicken’s-foot trefoil’s cultural significance is its illustration as a logo of revenge within the Victorian language of flowers or floriography. This language allowed individuals to speak feelings and messages by floral preparations, and chicken’s-foot trefoil was one of many few crops to characterize a damaging emotion.

Apart from its sinister which means within the language of flowers, the chicken’s-foot trefoil doesn’t have many generally identified myths or folklore hooked up to it. Its origins date again to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it grew in reputation for its capability to endure troublesome situations, mitigate erosion, and entice bumblebees and different pollinators.
Resulting from its primarily useful use, the chicken’s-foot trefoil has no important historical past in faith, artwork, or literature. Nonetheless, some digging reveals a couple of notable examples, just like the Hen’s Foot Trefoil Flower Fairy written and illustrated within the kids’s guide Flower Fairies of the Summer time by Cicely Mary Barker, which got here out in 1925.
Appropriate Gifting Events
The chicken’ s-foot trefoil flower will not be generally given as a present, because it grows primarily open air as a wildflower or livestock feed. Nonetheless, you can give the seeds as a present to a gardener or rancher on the lookout for fast, hardy floor cowl.
Wrap Up
Hen’s-foot trefoil is a wonderful alternative whether or not you’re attracting pollinators, feeding livestock, or just including a contact of coloration to your backyard. So long as you include its progress, you may benefit from the many advantages of this perennial species by the passing seasons and past.
Brandy Wells is an American copywriter and content material author residing in Spain. From mountain climbing in her hometown close to the Smoky Mountains to digging within the filth in rural Oregon, she has all the time put a love of nature on the coronary heart of her endeavors. Lately, you’ll catch her writing content material, and naturally, taking breaks to are likely to her rising houseplant assortment.