Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus, Sp. Pl.: 743 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 743 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ornithopus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, NW. & C. Europe to Algeria

Description

Bird’s-foot, scientifically known as Ornithopus perpusillus, is an intriguing plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. Described initially by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its name, “Bird’s-foot,” likely arises from the unique shape of its seed pods, which resemble the toes of a bird.

This species is native to a diverse range of regions, showcasing its adaptability. Bird’s-foot can be found in Macaronesia, an affinity group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, as well as spanning northwestern and central Europe to Algeria in North Africa. Such a wide distribution highlights the plant’s ability to thrive in various climates and soil types.

Typically, Bird’s-foot grows in meadows, grassy fields, and open areas, where it contributes to the biodiversity of these ecosystems. The plant is relatively small and often goes unnoticed, but it plays a crucial role in the environment. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it helps improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation—a symbiotic process involving root nodules that house nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Bird’s-foot’s delicate flowers add a touch of subtle beauty to their habitats. Though diminutive, they often exhibit charming hues and patterns that attract pollinators, thus ensuring the continued propagation of the species. Additionally, this plant can serve as ground cover, helping prevent soil erosion and maintaining ecological balance.

In summary, Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus) stands out as a noteworthy representative of the Fabaceae family. Its presence from Macaronesia to Europe and Algeria underscores its ecological importance and adaptability. Through its roles in soil health, habitat sustainability, and biodiversity, Bird’s-foot exemplifies the understated yet vital contributions of small, often overlooked plants to our natural world.

Common Names

Deu: kleiner vogelfuß, mäusewicke, vogelfuss
Dan: liden fugleklo
Eng: little white bird’s-foot, bird’s-foot, common birdsfoot
Nob: dvergfugleklo
Nno: dvergfugleklo
Swe: dvärgserradella, pikkulinnunjalka, klovicker
Nld: klein vogelpootje
Spa: pie de pájaro menor, serradilla
Fra: pied d’oiseau, pied-doiseau délicat
Fin: pikkulinnunjalka
Por: serradela-brava
Cat: serradella menuda
Cym: ewinedd yr aderyn, troed yr aderyn, troed-yr-aderyn cyffredin, troededn bychan
En: Bird’s-foot, Little white bird’s-foot, Bird’s-foot, Common Birdsfoot
Ar: رجل الطير القزمي
Be: Сырадэля вельмі маленькая
Ca: Serradella menuda
Hr: Ptičonoga majušna
Cs: Ptačí noha maličká
Da: Liden fugleklo
Nl: Klein vogelpootje
Et: Väike linnujalg
Fi: Pikkulinnunjalka
Fr: Pied d’oiseau, Pied-d’oiseau délicat, Pied-doiseau délicat, Ornithope délicat, Ornithope fluet, Pied-d’oiseau fluet
De: Mäusewicke, Kleiner Vogelfuss, Kleiner Vogelfuß, Vogelfuss, Krallenklee
Ga: Crúb éin
It: Uccellina minore
Lt: Smulkioji seradėlė
Nb: Dvergfugleklo
Nn: Dvergfugleklo
Pl: Seradela drobna
Pt: Serradela-brava
Es: Pie de pájaro menor, Serradilla
Sv: Dvärgserradella, Pikkulinnunjalka, Klovicker
Cy: Troed yr aderyn, Ewinedd yr Aderyn, Troed-yr-Aderyn Cyffredin, Troededn Bychan

Synonyms

• Ornithopus subumbellatus (Gilib.)
• Ornithopus intermedius (Roth)
• Ornithopus nodosus (Mill.)
• Ornithopus glaber (Gand.)
• Ornithopodium perpusillum ((L.) Medik.)
• Ornithopodium missus (Bubani)
• Ornithopus pusillus (Lepech.)
• Ornithopodium roseum (Bubani)
• Ornithopus perpusillus var. nodosus ((Mill.) Gray)
• Ornithopus perpusillus f. branquinhoi (P.Silva)
• Hedysarum moniliforme (Burm.f.)
• Ornithopus perpusillus var. minimus (Rouy)
• Ornithopus perpusillus var. glaber (Corb.)
• Ornithopus perpusillus var. elongatus (Lamotte)
• Coronilla perpusilla ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Ornithopus albus (Bergeret)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Christophe Gautreau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Marijk Hoed (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Augustin ROCHE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2016 by Bailhes Xavier (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 27, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Françoise MADIC (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 22, 2022 by Kilhiann Bagur (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5358256)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:510863-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ornithopus perpusillus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 2