English name of the Anagyris, a bushy shrub, bearing axillary racemes of yellow flowers, succeeded by narrow recurved pods. Sometimes applied to the Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), and formerly to the Laburnum.
1551. Turner, Herbal, 28. Anagyris … maye be called in Englishe, benetrifolye: because the leues grow thre together, and the sede is muche lyke a bene.
1607. Topsell, Serpents, 773. Leaves of Been-trifoly drunk in Wine.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., Bean-Trefoil, affords many fine yellow Blossoms.
