Lotus hirsutus

{{Short description|Species of legume}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Dorycnium herisse.jpg

|image_caption =

|taxon = Lotus hirsutus

|authority = L.{{citation |title=Lotus hirsutus L. |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:503681-1 |accessdate=2018-10-04 }}

|synonyms =

{{Species list

|Bonjeanea hirsuta|(L.) Rchb.

|Bonjeanea hirta|Jord. & Fourr.

|Bonjeanea venusta|Jord. & Fourr.

|Dorycnium hirsutum|(L.) Ser.

|Lotus candidus|Mill.

|Lotus pilosus|Medik.

}}

|synonyms_ref =

}}

Lotus hirsutus, also known by the synonym Dorycnium hirsutum, common name: canary clover{{BSBI 2007 |accessdate=2014-10-17 }} or hairy canary-clover,{{PLANTS|id=DOHI2|taxon=Dorycnium hirsutum|accessdate=18 January 2016}} is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae.

Description

It is a low-growing, domed semi-evergreen subshrub, reaching on average {{convert|20|-|50|cm}} in height. Its habit is erect, green, hairy and branched. The silver leaves are sessile, alternate and quite fuzzy. The flowers are white veined pinkish-red, in terminal umbels composed of four to ten flowers. The flowering period extends from May through July. The fruits are cylindrical reddish brown seed pods.

Distribution and habitat

This plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin, from Portugal to Turkey and south to northern Africa.

The typical habitat of this sub-shrub is grassland, in well-drained soil. Plants can be found at an altitude of {{convert|0|-|1500|m}}.

Cultivation

This plant is found in cultivation. Though hardy down to {{convert|-10 |C|F|abbr=on}}, it requires a sheltered spot in full sun. In the United Kingdom it has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/80172/i-Lotus-hirsutus-i/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder - Lotus hirsutus | accessdate= 29 March 2018}}{{cite web

| url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017

| page = 62 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 25 March 2018}}

Gallery

File:Fabaceae - Dorycnium hirsutum-1.JPG|Flowers

File:Fabaceae - Dorycnium hirsutum-2.JPG|Flowers

File:Fabaceae - Dorycnium hirsutum-3.JPG|Flower

File:Fabaceae - Dorycnium hirsutum.JPG|Leaves

References

{{Reflist}}

  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982. vol. III
  • Tutin, T. G., eds. 1964 -1980 - Flora europaea