Lotus tenuis
Narrow-leaf bird's-foot trefoil
(c) Michael Ellis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Ellis · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Lotus tenuis (Narrow-leaf bird's-foot trefoil) is a non-native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by differentiated by very narrow linear leaflets.
Narrow-leaf bird's-foot trefoil is a naturalized perennial herb found in coastal California regions including northern coastal, central coastal, and San Francisco Bay areas in open, disturbed areas at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces bright yellow flowers 7 to 10 millimeters long in small clusters of 1 to 4 blossoms. Growing with decumbent or ascending stems that are nearly hairless or sparsely hairy at young nodes, it reaches a variable height. Its compound leaves have 5 leaflets that are narrow and linear, each 5 to 15 millimeters long with acute or softly pointed tips. The plant produces slender pods 1.5 to 3 centimeters long that contain several seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; differentiated by very narrow linear leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Ventura, Sacramento, Sonoma, Trinity, Santa Clara, Napa, Humboldt, Solano, Contra Costa, San Diego, Lassen, Plumas, Yolo, Inyo
Outside California: to northern United States, southern Canada, native to Europe
Bloom period
Lotus tenuis blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Lupinus: Lotus has yellow flowers and leaflets at the base; Lupinus has palmately arranged leaflets radiating from one point.; vs Trifolium: Lotus has yellow flowers and gland-like stipules; Trifolium has pink/white heads and papery stipules.; vs Astragalus: Lotus has 1-3 flowers in umbels; Astragalus has flowers in elongated spike-like clusters.; vs Pediomelum: Lotus has leaves along stems; Pediomelum has leaves clustered at base.; vs Ladeania: Lotus is widespread in disturbed areas; Ladeania occurs only in Great Basin sandy flats.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lotus tenuis native to California?
No. Lotus tenuis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lotus tenuis bloom?
Lotus tenuis blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Lotus tenuis grow?
Lotus tenuis occurs in San Francisco, San Mateo, Ventura, Sacramento, Sonoma, Trinity, Santa Clara, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Lotus tenuis belong to?
Lotus tenuis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lotus.
What habitat does Lotus tenuis grow in?
Lotus tenuis grows in Open, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.