''Lotus hirsutus'', also known by the
synonym
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...
''Dorycnium hirsutum'',
[ common name: canary clover][
]
Description
It is a low-growing, domed semi- evergreen subshrub
A subshrub (Latin ''suffrutex'') or dwarf shrub is a short shrub, and is a woody plant. Prostrate shrub is a related term. "Subshrub" is often used interchangeably with "bush".Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Der ...
, reaching on average 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
This plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin
In biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin (; also known as the Mediterranean Region or sometimes Mediterranea) is the region of lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have mostly a Mediterranean climate, with mild to cool, rainy winters and w ...
, from Portugal to Turkey and south to northern Africa.[
]
Habitat
The typical habitat of this sub-shrub is grassland, in well-drained soil. Plants can be found at an altitude of .
Cultivation
This plant is found in cultivation. Though hardy down to , it requires a sheltered spot in full sun. In the United Kingdom it has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
.
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
* Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982. vol. III
* Tutin, T. G., eds. 1964 -1980 - Flora europaea
External links
Biolib
Dorycnium hirsutum
hirsutus
Flora of Europe
Flora of North Africa
Flora of Western Asia
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Loteae-stub