''Lotus alpinus'', common name alpine bird's-foot trefoil, is a species of

legume Legumes are plants in the pea family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seeds of such plants. When used as a dry grain for human consumption, the seeds are also called pulses. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consum ...

in the family

Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomen ...

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 dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...

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