ANAGYRIS FOETIDA

Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE

Common Names:- Bean trefoil

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Anagyris (Gr) Backwards-turned, reference to the curved seed pods.

Foetida (L) Foul smelling.

General description:- Deciduous shrub 1-3 m tall, all parts of plant foul-smell-

ing when crushed.

Leaves:-

1) 3-foliolate, with small, stipules, 5mm, connate.

2) Leaflets, 30-70 x 10-30 mm, short-petiolulate, elliptical, entire, glabrous above,

appressed-pubescent beneath, somewhat glaucous.

Flowers:-

1) Flowers in short axillary clusters on woody branches, ± concealed among the

leaves.

2) Corolla, 18-25 mm, greenish-yellow, standard shorter than the keel and wings,

with a large purplish-brown spot.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, large (l0-20 cm), pendent, somewhat compressed, pale greenish-

yellow, slightly constricted between the seeds.

2) Seeds, 3-8 large, violet or yellow.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal habitats, roadsides, gorges, archaeological sites. 0-800 m.

Distribution:- Widespread throughout the Mediterranean area and SW Asia

eastwards t W. Iran. Widespread and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Feb to early May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton