LOTUS PALUSTRIS

Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE/Sect. LOTUS/L. corniculatus group.

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Lotus angustissimus subsp. palustris

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

Palustris (L) Of swampy ground.

General description:- Perennial, usually patent-pilose.

Stems:-

1) 50-100 cm, procumbent or ascending, pubescent to villous.

Leaves:-

1) Leaflets, 5-foliolate, large (14-20 x 6712 mm), elliptic-ovate, apiculate.

a) lower pair not much smaller than the others.

Flower:-

1) 2-4, on a peduncle several times longer than the subtending leaf.

2) Bracts, usually 3, unequal.

3) Calyx, with subequal, linear-lanceolate but broad-based teeth slightly longer than

the tube.

4) Corolla, 8-11 mm,

a) beak of the keel, short, with a slightly incurved tip.

Fruit:-

1) Legume, 15-22 x 1.5-2.5 mm, linear, straight, terete.

Key features:-

1) Leaflets, 14-20 x 6-12 mm elliptic-ovate.

2) Corolla, 8-11 mm, not more than 1.5 times as long as the calyx.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Damp to wet, often saline meadows near the sea, occasionally to 400 m.

in ruderal habitats and wet spots in olive groves

Distribution:- Sparse distribution across the Aegean area. Widespread through

Portugal and S Spain. through N Africa to Syria Anatolia and Cyprus. Limited

distribution on Crete.

Flowering time:- May-July.

Photos by:- Charalambos Chiotelis