Family: Fabaceae- (Pea family) [E-flora]
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Identification
"Lotus corniculatus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from Jun to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure."[PFAF]
Hazards
This product comes from Kansu and Northern Szechuan, is said to resemble lucerne has a yellow flower, a root like that of Polygala japonica,, which is gathered in the second and eighth moons and dried in the sun. Its action is carminative, thirst-relieving, antifebrile, restorative, and tonic. It is administered in tinctures, decoction, pill, or powder. [ChineseMM]
Another ancient wound herb like Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus also features hardly at all in the folk records despite its prevalence as a plant of the British Isles. That the only record of use—as an eyewash—comes from South Uist in the Outer Hebrides,[3] however, makes it a more convincing candidate for genuine folk status.[MPFT]
Even within AM or EM associations, different mycorrhizal species can vary in their effects on herbivore performance. Goverde et al. (2000) studied the effect of varying species of AM fungus on the performance of the common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) feeding on Lotus corniculatus. Plants were inoculated with two species of AM fungi, alone and in combination, and the performance of butterfly larvae that were fed leaves from these plants was assessed relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. Larval survival increased (1.6- to 3.B-fold) and larval weights significantly increased when fed mycorrhizal plants relative to controls regardless of the species of fungus. However, larval food consumption, larval food use and adult lipid concentrations varied significantly with the species of mycorrhizal fungus used as inoculum. Adult lipid concentrations were 15 % higher when larvae were fed plants inoculated only with AM species #1 than when they were inoculated with a mix of AM species #1 and #2. This difference is potentially important because high lipid concentrations are associated with improved fecundity and longevity in butterflies (Goverde et al. 2000).[Heijden ME]
"Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in the spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 15°c. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer."[PFAF]
"Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Does well on poor soils[61]. An important food plant for many caterpillars[30]. It is also a good bee plant[74], the flowers providing an important source of nectar[240]. The flowers are powerfully scented, even though they are able to pollinate themselves[245]. The plant spreads very freely at the roots[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]."[PFAF]
Green Manure: "A useful green manure plant, fixing atmospheric nitrogen[7]. It is difficult to see this plant as a useful green manure, it is fairly slow growing with us and does not produce much bulk[K]." [PFAF]
Synonyms
"Annual, perennial herb, unarmed. Leaf: generally odd-1-pinnate; stipules gland-like, reduced to bumps, or inconspicuous; leaflets 3–9, lower 2 in stipular position or not, others ± palmately arranged. Inflorescence: umbel or 1–3-flowered, axillary, peduncled, bract 1–3-parted. Flower: corolla generally yellow, in age darkening; 9 filaments fused, 1 free. Fruit: dehiscent, exserted from calyx, linear to narrowly oblong, ± beaked. Seed: few to several.
± 125 species: Europe, Africa, to eastern Asia, Australia, New Caledonia; cultivated as forage, ground cover, ornamental. (Greek: derivation unclear) [Brouillet 2008 J Bot Res Inst Texas 2:387–394] Other taxa in TJM (1993) moved to Acmispon and Hosackia." [Jepson]
Local Species;
Lotus arabicus L.- "the leaves of this leguminous plant contain a yellow crystalline glucoaide, lotusin, C22H19NO10, and an enzyme, lotase, by which lotusin is converted into prussic acid and a yellow substance, lotoflavin."[Remington USD20] Poison [DukePhty]
Lotus edulis Linn. - "Mediterranean countries. In Crete, the pods [are] eaten when young as a string bean by the poorer inhabitants."[Sturtevant EPW] "Young seedpods - raw or cooked[2, 105, 177]. The pods are a bit small and fiddly (they are about 3cm long) but they have quite a pleasant taste eaten raw, rather like French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)[K]." [PFAF-1]
Lotus gebelia Vent. Orient. - The pods are eaten as a string bean about Aleppo.[Sturtevant EPW]
Lotus halophilus (Boiss.&Spauner) - "Maritime sands[50]. S.E. Europe - Mediterranean." Hazards: "No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species but at least one member of the genus contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides[65, 76]." "Seed[160]. No more details are given, but some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity." [PFAF-2]
Lotus humistratus Greene - "Gynecological Aid Infusion of plant taken and used as a wash by women in labor."[NAEth Moerman]
Lotus mearnsii (Britt.) Greene - "Food-Havasupai Unspecified Species used for food."[NAEth Moerman]
Lotus procumbens (Greene) Greene - "Spice Plant added to the dry pine needles spread as a layer in the pit roasting of the yucca.... Building Material Plant used as wall filler in the construction of the winter house." [NAEth Moerman]
Lotus scoparius (Nutt.) Ottley - "Cough Medicine Decoction of foliage used for coughs. ... Fodder Leaves fed to domesticated animals.... Unspecified Leaves used for food.... Building Material Plant used as a material in house construction. ... Building Material Foliage used for house thatching.... Soap Roots used for soap." [NAEth Moerman] "Blood Medicine Infusion of plant taken to build the blood. (as Hosackiaglabra 140:34)"[NAEth Moerman]
Lotus strigosus (Nutt.) Greene - "Vegetable Plant used for greens."[NAEth Moerman]
Lotus tetragonolobus Linn. - Mediterranean region - "In France, according to Robinson, this pea is cultivated as a vegetable. The pods were formerly employed, says Johns, as an esculent by the poor of Sicily and Spain. The green pods, says Mueller, serve as a substitute for asparagus. This plant is yet in French gardens for use as a string bean but apparently is not in much request. In 1726, Townsend an English seedsman, says, "I put them here, because some people eat em when they are very young; but in my mind they are not good." [Sturtevant EPW] "Young seedpods - raw or cooked[16, 27, 33]. Added to salads, cooked as a vegetable or added to soups, stews etc[183]. The taste is said to resemble asparagus[183]. Only the very young pods, when less than 25mm long, should be used, since the older pods quickly turn fibrous[183]. Considered by many to be a gourmet food, though it is not a very high yielding crop[K]. Seed - cooked. Used like peas[105, 177, 183]. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[27, 183].[PFAF-3]
Lotus Unifoliolatus (Hook.) Benth. var. unifoliolatus - "Spice Plant used as a mat for the juniper cake which improves the taste of the cake. (as 1. purshianus 206:39) Miwok Cooking Agent Green leaves pounded with oily acorns, to absorb some of the oil. (as 1. americanus 12:144)"[NAEth Moerman]
Lotus urbani Venereal [DukePhyto]
Lotus wrightii (Gray) Greene - "Analgesic Decoction of leaves used for stomachache. Cathartic Decoction of leaves used as a cathartic. Disinfectant Decoction of leaves used for "deer infection." Gastrointestinal Aid Decoction of leaves used for stomachache. Panacea Plant used as "life medicine." (191:32) Zuni Witchcraft Medicine Poultice of chewed root applied to swellings caused by being witched by a bull-snake. (27:376) Food-Isleta Forage Considered an excellent grazing plant for sheep."[NAEth Moerman]
References
Lotus denticulatus - meadow birds-foot trefoil
General: Annual herb from a taproot; stems mostly erect or ascending, 10-50 cm tall, few-branched, finely short-hairy.
Habitat / Range Mesic open, often sandy meadows, grassy slopes, river bars and lakeshores in the lowland, steppe and lower montane zones; common in BC S of 55degreeN, except absent from the Queen Charlotte Islands, N Vancouver Island and adjacent coast; S to N CA.
Origin Status: Native
Synonyms
Lotus formosissimus - seaside birds-foot trefoil
This taxon has listed subtaxa in B.C. [E-flora]
General: Perennial herb from a stolon or rhizome; stems sprawling or ascending, 20-50 cm long, glabrous.
Habitat / Range Moist open sites in the lowland zone; rare on SE Vancouver Island and adjacent islands; S to C CA.
Origin Status: Native [E-flora]
Similar Species: "In B.C., Lotus corniculatus, L. denticulatus, L. micranthus, L. nevadensis, L. pedunculatus, L. pushianus, and L. tenuis have reduced stipules represented by blackish glands, whereas L. formosissimus has membraneous stipules. L. pinnatus in B.C. has yellow and white flowers and lacks a foliar bract, whereas L. formosissimus has yellow and pink flowers and often has foliar bracts." [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
Lotus micranthus - small-flowered birds-foot trefoil
General: Annual herb; stems prostrate to erect, 10-30 cm long/tall, slender, glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy.
Habitat / Range Moist to mesic meadows, grassy bluffs, rocky slopes and sandy clearings in the lowland zone; locally frequent in extreme SW BC; S to CA.
Origin Status: Native
Synonyms
Lotus pedunculatus - stalked birds-foot trefoil
Lotus uliginosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from Jun to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
General: Perennial herb from a slender rhizome, with stolons; stems erect or ascending, to 60 cm tall, hollow, glabrous or hairy.
Hazards No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species but at least one member of the genus contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides[65, 76]. '^^
Propagation Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in the spring or autumn. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 15°c. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation Succeeds in wet acid soils[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Does well on poor soils[61]. Suitable for naturalistic and conservation plantings in situations that approximate to its natural habitat[200]. A good bee plant[74]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].
Pioneer: This species is used as a pioneer plant in the reclamation of peat and pumice soils and on other wet acid soils that are unsuitable for the more commonly used Trifolium spp[200].
Synonyms
Lotus pinnatus - bog bird's-foot trefoil
General: Perennial herb from a thick taproot and short rhizome; stems solitary, sprawling to erect, 15-60 cm long, hollow, glabrous or sparsely stiff-hairy.
Habitat / Range Wet to moist meadows, streambanks and clearings in the lowland zone; rare on SE Vancouver Island, known from only two collections at Ladysmith and Nanaimo; S to ID and CA.
Origin Status: Native
Similar Species: In the field, Vicia species may be confused with L. pinnatus as they are often present in similar habitats, but the leaves in Vicia spp. are smaller in size than those of L. pinnatus and the terminal leaflet in Vicia spp. is represented by a tendril. Lotus formosissimus looks very similar to L. pinnatus except the wing petals of L. formosissimus are pinkish-purple, while those of L. pinnatus are cream-colored. Though a trifoliate bract usually subtends the flowers of L. formosissimus, bracts were sometimes absent in the field specimens or only a unifoliate bract was present (Ryan and Douglas 1994). Although L. pinnatus and L. formosissimus could be confused if the plants are immature or not in flower, the two species do not overlap in their distribution in British Columbia (Donovan, 2004).
Synonyms
Lotus tenuis - narrow-leaved birds-foot trefoil
General: Perennial herb from a taproot and branching stem-base; stems spreading to ascending, 25- 90 cm long, slender, wiry, often branched, glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy at the nodes.
Habitat / Range Mesic to dry grassy meadows, clearings and roadsides in the lowland and steppe zones; rare on S Vancouver Island and in SC BC; introduced from Eurasia.
Origin Status: Exotic
References
Lotus unifoliolatus - Spanish-clover
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
General: Annual herb from a taproot, finely soft-hairy throughout; stems 1 to several, decumbent to erect, 10-60 cm long/tall.
Habitat / Range Wet to moist meadows, clearings and roadsides in the lowland and montane zones; rare in SW and SC BC; S to MN, MO, MT, CA and N MX.
Synonyms
References