LOTUS ORNITHOPODIOIDES

Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE/Sect. LOTEA

Common Name:- Clustered birdsfoot-trefoil

Homotypic Synonyms:- Lotea ornithopodioides.

Meaning:- Lotus (Gr) The ancient name for various leguminous plants.

Ornithopodioides (Gr) Bird-foot, like a bird's foot, (the arrangement of

the fruits or flowers).

General description:- Annual, usually branched from the base.

Stems:-

1) 10-30 cm, sparsely pilose throughout.

Leaves:-

1) Petiolate, leaflets 8-30 x 4-16 mm.

2) Upper, 3, obovate to rhombic.

3) Lower, 2, ovate-rhombic, cordate or cuneate at the base.

Flowers:-

1) Peduncles, straight, erecto-patent, 1-4 cm. equalling or slightly longer than the

leaves.

2) Umbel, 3- or 4-flowered.

3) Bracts, large, leaf-like.

4) Calyx, bilabiate, lateral teeth much shorter than the others.

5) Corolla, 7-9 mm, pale yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Legumes, all tuming in the same direction, 30-45 x c. 2.5 mm, slightly curved,

flattened, constricted between the seeds, glabrous.

Key features:-

1) Bracts, usually longer than the calyx.

2) Peduncles, mostly longer than the subtending leaves in fruit.

3) Lowest pair of leaflets triangular or rhombic-orbicular

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Sandy coastal habitats, dry open shrubby vegetation, field margins, olive

groves. 0-600-(1100) m.

Distribution:- Widespread throughout the Mediterranean. Widespread on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mar to early June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton