''Lotus alpinus'', common name alpine bird's-foot trefoil, is a species of
legume
A legume () is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seed of such a plant. When used as a dry grain, the seed is also called a pulse. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consumption, for livestock f ...
in the family
.
Description
''L. alpinus'' can reach a height of . It is a perennial herbaceous plant,
typically sprawling horizontally at the height of the surrounding
grassland
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...
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 above sea level.
References
*Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole - 1982
Biolib
External links
alpinus
Plants described in 1825
{{Loteae-stub