Lotus species - Bird's-foot-trefoils

These are similar but can be easily differentiated in the field.

Lotus corniculatus is low creeping and +/- hairless with a solid stem. The flowers can have a red or deep orange tinge.

Lotus pedunculatus is taller, erect and the stem is hollow and usually hairy. The flowers are yellow and less commonly with red or orange tinges.

The clear difference in the field is that the calyx teeth are applied to the bud in L. corniculatus whereas they are reflexed away from the bud in L. pedunculatus. The angle between the two upper calyx teeth is a U-shape in L. corniculatus in rather than a V-shape in L. pedunculatus.