Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), also known as eggs and bacon, granny's toenails, or lady's slipper, plays a vital ecological role in the restoration of former mining sites, where its nitrogen-fixing ability helps rehabilitate degraded soils. This resilient wildflower serves as a crucial foodplant for the common blue, silver-studded blue, and wood white caterpillars, with the latter two recognised as Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Its bright yellow flowers also provide an important nectar source for bees, making Bird's-foot Trefoil a keystone species that supports pollinator networks and helps transform industrial brownfield sites into thriving wildlife habitats.
Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), also known as eggs and bacon, granny's toenails, or lady's slipper, plays a vital ecological role in the restoration of former mining sites, where its nitrogen-fixing ability helps rehabilitate degraded soils. This resilient wildflower serves as a crucial foodplant for the common blue, silver-studded blue, and wood white caterpillars, with the latter two recognised as Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Its bright yellow flowers also provide an important nectar source for bees, making Bird's-foot Trefoil a keystone species that supports pollinator networks and helps transform industrial brownfield sites into thriving wildlife habitats.
