Anthyllis vulnerariaL. Common Kidney-vetch

Anthyllis vulnerariaL. - Common Kidney-vetch

Scientific Description:

Annual, biennial or perennial. Lowermost leaves reduced to a terminal leaflet, or imparipinnate with the terminal leaflet much larger than the lateral leaflets; upper leaves imparipinnate, the terminal leaflet ± equalling the lateral leaflets, or much larger. Heads many-flowered, each head subtended by 2 palmatisect bracts of which the outer is larger and more deeply divided than the inner. Calyx ± inflated at anthesis, constricted at the apex, with 5 unequal teeth, the mouth oblique. Corolla yellow, red, purple, orange, whitish or parti-coloured. Legume 1(−2)-seeded, when 2-seeded never constricted between the seeds.

 

subsp. boissieri (Sagorski ) Bornm.

Leaves confined to the lower part of the stem; calyx with a red tip.

 

Flowering Time: June−July.

Habitat: Rocky slopes, banks, pasture, open woodlands, 450-3100 m.

 

Reference:

Cullen J (1970). Anthyllis vulneraria L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 3: 534−535.

Public Description:

Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. boissieri, known as “common kidney-vetch”, is native to Türkiye and Europe. It is an annual, biennial or perennial herb with yellow, red, purple, orange, whitish or parti-coloured flowers, and grows up to 40 cm in length. It blooms between June and July and is found in rocky slopes, banks, pasture, and open woodlands. The name “vulneraria” means “wound healer”. The roots, leaves and flowers have antitussive, astringent, laxative and vulnerary effects. This plant was used as a drug in the past for skin eruptions, slow-healing wounds, minor wounds, cuts and bruises.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016). https:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthyllis_vulneraria/, Accessed date: 09.02.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016). http:/www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anthyllis+vulneraria/, Accessed date: 09.02.2016.

Keskin M (2012). Anthyllis Adans., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 426.