L. heterophyllus is distributed throughout much of Europe, from Sweden to Portugal and Spain (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2010). The International Legume Database & Information Service (2010) records it as being present in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sardinia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In France it occurs in 11 departments to the east of the country and is also recorded in the department of Gers to the southwest (Association Tela Botanica 2010).