Anthyllis vulneraria
| Anthyllis vulneraria | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Anthyllis vulneraria (common name: kidney vetch)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. If there is sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ. Pre-soak the seed for about 12 hrs or scarify the seed[1]. It usually germinates in 1 -2 months at 10°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[2].
Cultivation: Prefers a sunny position[2] and an alkaline soil[3][4][5][6]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 8. Prefers a sandy loam[7][3]. Thrives in poor soils[2].
A rich food source for bees, butterflies and caterpillars[2].
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[2].
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to the Caucasus and N. Africa.
Habitat: Dry situations on sea cliffs, stony rocks and shingle, usually on shallow calcareous soils[8][4][5].
Edibility: The dried flower heads are a tea substitute[8].
Medicinal: The roots leaves and flowers are antitussive, astringent, laxative and vulnerary[3][8][4][6]. This plant is an ancient remedy for skin eruptions, slow-healing wounds, minor wounds, cuts and bruises, it is applied externally[8]. Internally, it is used as a treatment for constipation and as a spring tonic[8]. The plant can be used fresh in the growing season, or harvested when in flower and dried for later use[8].
Pollinators: Bees, lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.