Lotus corniculatus
Lotus corniculatus
Gazalboynuzu
Glabrous to pubescent perennial, decumbent, ascending or erect, not stoloniferous, stems up to 50 cm, solid. Leaflets from narrow-lanceolate to lanceolate, oblanceolate or obovate, without evident lateral veins, varying in size. Umbels 1-7-flowered, on peduncles much longer than subtending leaves. Bracts usually 3, narrow and short, about as long as calyx. Flowers 9-13 mm. Calyx subcampanulate. with teeth c. 1-1½ x tube. Corolla about 2 x calyx, yellow to golden-yellow, often turning green on drying, sometimes red; standard longer than keel and wings, often red-veined: keel strongly arched, with fairly long beak, slightly longer than wings. Legume 15-30 x 1.5-2 mm, straight, terete. 2/7 = 12, 24. Fl. 5-8.
The almost impossible task of the division of the L. corniculatus complex has been pointed out repeatedly. Many botanists have subdivided it into a large number of species which differ only very little from one another. Here L. corniculatus is treated as a polymorphic species comprising a spectrum of different forms that can be provisionally grouped under three varieties, connected by intermediates. All three varieties occur in the Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions, but usually grow in different habitats.
The almost impossible task of the division of the L. corniculatus complex has been pointed out repeatedly. Many botanists have subdivided it into a large number of species which differ only very little from one another. Here L. corniculatus is treated as a polymorphic species comprising a spectrum of different forms that can be provisionally grouped under three varieties, connected by intermediates. All three varieties occur in the Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions, but usually grow in different habitats.
1.Upper leaflets obovate, obtuse or apiculate; umbels 2-7-flowered; flowers 8-15 mm; stems sturdy
2. Stems up to 20 cm; leaflets small, not exceeding 7 x 3 mm, usually ± densely hairy; umbels 2-4-flowered; flowers 8-11 mm var. alpinus
2. Stems more than 20 cm; leaflets larger, usually sparsely hairy or subglabrous; umbels usually 4-7-flowered; flowers 10-15 mm var. corniculatus
1.Upper leaflets narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, often subacuminate; umbels 1-3-flowered; flowers 7-10 mm; stems slender var. tenuifolius
2. Stems up to 20 cm; leaflets small, not exceeding 7 x 3 mm, usually ± densely hairy; umbels 2-4-flowered; flowers 8-11 mm var. alpinus
2. Stems more than 20 cm; leaflets larger, usually sparsely hairy or subglabrous; umbels usually 4-7-flowered; flowers 10-15 mm var. corniculatus
1.Upper leaflets narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, often subacuminate; umbels 1-3-flowered; flowers 7-10 mm; stems slender var. tenuifolius
Distribution of species: Europe, N. Africa, W. & C. Asia.
