Hi last time I needed a plant id'd you guys did it in less time then my botanical buddy so I'm trying this out again. I'm expecting it is in the pea family, has interesting seed pods sticking out all around in a star shape, small yellow flowers, grows to about 20cm high, seems happy in both wet and dry areas but well drained soils (found it along top of a ditch and in an old gravel pit). Unfortunately this beauty is causing a few problems in some roadside ditches and I have been asked to figure out what to do with it. Please let me know if you have any clue. Lisa
This is a species from the genus Lotus (birds foot trefoil) and it was probably introduced from Eurasia. If the number of seed pods shown on the right is actually 12 then this should be stalked birds-foot trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus). The other possibility might be Lotus corniculatus but that one should not have more than about 8 flowers per umbel.
Lotus pedunculatus is the common one down here (Seattle). 5 other species have been collected, but occur infrequently or are no longer present.
