LOTUS TENUIS

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

Common Names:- Narrow-leaved birdsfoot-trefoil

Homotypic Synonyms:- Lotus corniculatus subsp. tenuis, Lotus corniculatus

var. tenuis, Lotus corniculatus proles tenuis.

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

Tenuis (L) Persisting, tenacious, slender, thin, fine.

General description:- Annual.

Stems:-

1) 20-90 cm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent.

Leaves:-

1) Leaflets, 5-15 x 1-4 mm, linear or linear-lanceolate.

Flower:-

1) Heads, 1- to 4(-6)-flowered.

2) Calyx-teeth, equal, usually shorter than the tube.

3) Corolla, 6-12 mm, yellow, often becoming greenish on drying.

a) wings obovate-oblong.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 15-30 x 2-2·5 mm.

Key features:-

1) Leaflets of upper leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, at least (3-)4 times as long as

wide.

2) Calyx-teeth, usually shorter than the tube.

3) Corolla, often becoming greenish on drying.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Saline coastal habitats, seasonally wet spots in dry open shrubby

vegetation, marshy places by springs and small streams. 0-600 m.

Distribution:- Throughout mainland Greece, Peloponnisos and Ionian Islands. -

Widespread in Europe, the Mediterranean region, and SW Asia. Rare on Crete,

currently known from only two locations in the NW.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons