Lotus corniculatus
| Lotus corniculatus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lotus corniculatus (common name: bird's foot trefoil)
Propagation: 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.
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Dislikes shade[1]. Does well on poor soils[2].
An important food plant for many caterpillars[3]. It is also a good bee plant[4], the flowers providing an important source of nectar[5].
The flowers are powerfully scented, even though they are able to pollinate themselves[6].
The plant spreads very freely at the roots[7].
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[1].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Pastures and sunny banks of streams, especially on calcareous soils[8][9][10].
Edibility: The young seedpods are 'nibbled'[11]. Caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: Carminative, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, restorative, vermifuge[12].
The flowers are antispasmodic, cardiotonic and sedative[8].
The root is carminative, febrifuge, restorative and tonic[13].
The plant is used externally as a local anti-inflammatory compress in all cases of skin inflammation[8].
Usage: An orange-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[4].
A useful green manure plant, fixing atmospheric nitrogen[8]. 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].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides(hydrogen cyanide)[14][15]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.