DORYCNIUM RECTUM

Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Bonjeanea recta, Lotus rectus. Ortholotus rectus.

Meaning:- Dorycnium (Gr) The Greek physician Dioscorides' name was for a

Convolvulus.

Rectum (L) Straight, upright, erect.

General description:- Erect, much-branched perennial herb or subshrub.

Stems;-

1) Generally 70-130 cm tall. subglabrous to sparsely appressed-pubescent,

internodes mostly longer than the leaves.

Leaves:-

1) 3-5-foliolate, rhachis, 4-11 mm.

2) Leaflets, 5 oblong, sparsely appressed-pubescent to glabrescent.

Flowers:-

1) Peduncles, 2-4 cm.

2) Inflorescence, capitate, with 15-35 flowers.

3) Calyx teeth, linear-lanceolate, equalling or longer than the tube.

4) Corolla, small (3.5-5.5 mm), white or sometimes pinkish.

5) Infructescence, stellate.

Fruit:-

1) Legumes, cylindrical, 8-15 x 1.3-2.7 mm, with 5-9 seeds,

a) valves, contorted at maturity.

2) Seeds, 1-1.5 mm, subglobose, dark brown.

Key features:-

1) Legume, 8-15 mm; cylindrical, with 5-9 seeds, valves contoned at maturity.

2) Stems, subglabrous to sparsely appressed-pubescent.

3) Rhachis, 4-11 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Damp habitats by springs, lake shores, water courses and ditches, on

various substrates. 0-600(-900) m.

Distribution:- Coastal areas of Peloponnisos, W mainland Greece and Ionian

Islands. - Widespread in the Mediterranean region and SW Asia. Somewhat

restricted distribution on Crete, mainly west central west and east.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton