Coronilla variaL. subsp. varia (= Securigera varia (L.) Lassen) - Crownvetch
Scientific Description:
Perennial, ascending or procumbent herb, stems 15−50 cm. Base of plant herbaceous; leaflets 8−14-paired, oblong; umbels 10−20-flowered. Leaves green, pinnate, with 3−14 pairs of oblong or cuneate, mucronate leaflets. Umbels 4−20-flowered, bracteoles free, ligulate, c. 1 mm, with purplish tips. Flowers 9−15 mm, lilac, white, or pink, the petal claws c. as long as the sepals. Lomenta straight, 2−8 cm × 1.5−2 mm, with 3−14 articulations.
Flowering time: May−August.
Habitat: Stony slopes and in deciduous woods and scrub, cultivated ground, 250−2150 m.
Reference:
Chamberlain DF (1970). Coronilla varia L., In: Davis PH (ed.) Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 3: 543.
Public Description:
Securigera varia, common name “crownvetch”, is native to Africa, Asia and Europe. Crownvetch is a perennial herbs and grows up to 60 cm tall and bears small clusters of pink and white flowers from early summer to late fall. Its deep, tenacious, complex root system and thick, fern-like leaves provide excellent erosion control where it is used as a ground cover. It is especially used in United States and Canada for erosion control, roadside planting and soil rehabilitation. On the other hand, the whole plant contains a toxic glycoside called “coronillin” so it is toxic to horses and other non-ruminants. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or even death.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Securigera_varia/, Accessed date: 09.02.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Coronilla+varia/, Accessed date: 09.02.2016.
Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/gbase/DATA/secvar.htm/, Accessed date: 09.02.2016.
Keskin M (2012). Coronilla L., 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. 458.