The more than 175 legume species that constitute the tribe Loteae are found worldwide, except for the very cold arctic regions and the lowland tropical areas of Southeast Asia and South and Central America. Approximately three-quarters of all species in the genus Lotus are Old World, yet only four Old World species receive major attention: L. corniculatus (broadleafed birdsfoot trefoil), L. glaber (narrowleafed birdsfoot trefoil), L. uliginosus (big trefoil), and L. japonicus. Several species of Lotus are used as forage legumes to provide a high-quality feed source for grazing livestock. Some Lotus species have utility as tools for advancing molecular biology. Lotus corniculatus has the most agricultural importance and the widest distribution. Its native range extends from Scandinavia across lowland and high alpine regions of central Europe to Asia Minor and Africa, and it occurs as naturalized populations in North and South America.