Ornithopus sativus
Common birdsfoot, Common Birdsfoot
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Ornithopus sativus (Common birdsfoot) is a non-native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences in pubescence, leaflet shape, flower color, and fruit shape.
Common birdsfoot is a naturalized annual found in the central coastal region of Santa Cruz County in grasslands and disturbed areas at elevations of 150 to 200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white or pink flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with hairy stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads in loose, sprawling formations. Its compound leaves feature small ovate to lanceolate leaflets arranged in a distinctive pinnate pattern. The fruit develops as an elongated oblong pod reaching 1 to 4 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear morphological differences in pubescence, leaflet shape, flower color, and fruit shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, disturbed areas
Elevation: 150-200 m
Outside California: native to southwestern Europe
Bloom period
Ornithopus sativus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lotus: Ornithopus pods break into segments like beads; Lotus pods split open along seams.; vs Oxytropis: Ornithopus has segmented pods; Oxytropis has regular pods with beaked keel petal.; vs Astragalus: Ornithopus pods crumble into segments; Astragalus pods split open intact.; vs Peteria: Ornithopus lacks spines; Peteria has conspicuous spiny stipules at leaf bases.; vs Marina: Ornithopus pods break into segments; Marina pods stay intact with single seed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ornithopus sativus native to California?
No. Ornithopus sativus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Ornithopus sativus bloom?
Ornithopus sativus blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Ornithopus sativus belong to?
Ornithopus sativus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Ornithopus.
What habitat does Ornithopus sativus grow in?
Ornithopus sativus grows in Grassland, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.