Lotus alpinus

Lotus alpinus, common name alpine bird's-foot trefoil, is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae.

Lotus alpinus
Lotus alpinus at the Giardino Botanico Alpino Chanousia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Lotus
Species:
L. alpinus
Binomial name
Lotus alpinus
(Ser.) Schleich. ex Ramond
Synonyms
  • Lotus corniculatus var. alpinus Ser

Description

L. alpinus can reach a height of 2–10 cm (0.79–3.94 in). It is a perennial herbaceous plant, typically sprawling horizontally at the height of the surrounding grassland or rocky surfaces. The base of its stem is woody. Flowers are pea flower-shaped and may be yellow, orange, or reddish. They bloom from May to August

Distribution

L. alpinus is a species of the mountain regions of the southern Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, former Yugoslavia, Italy, France, and Spain), particularly the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Habitat

Alpine bird's-foot trefoil can be found in subalpine or alpine pastures and rocky areas, at elevation of 1,700–2,700 m (5,600–8,900 ft) above sea level.

References

  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole - 1982
  • Biolib


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