Lotus corniculatusL. Garden Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus corniculatusL. - Garden Bird's-foot Trefoil

Scientific Description:

Glabrous to pubescent perennial, decumbent, ascending or erect, not stoloniferous, stems up to 50 cm, solid. Leaflets (of the main stem) from narrow lanceolate to lanceolate, oblanceolate or obovate, without evident lateral veins, varying in size. Umbels 1−7-flowered, on peduncles much longer than subtending leaves. Bracts usually 3, narrow and short, about as long as calyx. Flowers (7−)9−13(−15) mm. Calyx subcampanulate, with teeth c. 1−3/2 × tube. Corolla about 2 × calyx, yellow to golden-yellow, often turning green on drying, sometimes red; standard longer than keel and wings, often red-veined; keel strongly arched, with fairly long beak, slightly longer than wings. Legume 15−30 × 1.5−2 mm, straight, terete.

 

var. alpinus

Stems up to 20 cm; leaflets small, not exceeding 7 × 3 mm, usually ± densely hairy; umbels (1−)2−4-flowered; flowers 8−11 mm.

 

Flowering time: (May−)July.

Habitat: Rocky slopes and alpine pastures, (450-)1200-2500 m.

 

Reference:

Heyn CC (1970). Lotus corniculatus L., In: Davis PH (ed.) Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 3: 525−526.

Public Description:

Lotus corniculatus var. alpinus, known as “garden bird's-foot trefoil”, is native to in temperate Eurasia and North Africa. It is a perennial herb with yellow or golden-yellow flowers, and grows up to 50 cm in lenght. It blooms between May and July and is found in rocky slopes and alpine pastures. All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing “cyanogenic glycosides (hydrogen cyanide)”. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. They are completely innocuous when dried.

 

References:

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

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

Vural M (2012). Lotus 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. 471–473.