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Lotus halophilus - Boiss.&Spauner

Common Name Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species but at least one member of the genus contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides[65, 76].
Habitats Maritime sands[50].
Range S.E. Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lotus halophilus Greater Bird


Lotus halophilus Greater Bird

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lotus halophilus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. villosus.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed[160]. No more details are given, but some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The plants use was listed for L. villosus and the report did not cite the author. We have found two authors for that name, L. villosus. Forsk. is listed as a synonym for L. halophilus (the treatment we have used here) and there is also L. villosus. Burm.f. to which this report might more properly apply. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Does well on poor soils[61]. A good bee plant[74]. 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[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in the spring or the autumn. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran (south), Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (s. & Sicily) AFRICA: Algeria (north), Egypt, Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Diospyros lotusDate PlumTree9.0 7-9 MLMHSNM512
Lotus corniculatusBird's Foot TrefoilPerennial0.3 3-8 MLMHNDM114
Lotus edulis Annual0.1 -  LMNDM30 
Lotus tetragonolobusAsparagus Pea, Winged peaAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNDM30 
Lotus uliginosusGreater Bird's Foot TrefoilPerennial0.4 5-9  LMHNMWe003
Melilotus albusWhite MelilotAnnual/Biennial1.2 - FLMHNDM223
Melilotus altissimusTall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetcloverBiennial/Perennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNDM201
Melilotus elegansElegant sweetcloverAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHNDM10 
Melilotus indicusAnnual Yellow SweetcloverAnnual1.0 5-9  LMHNDM121
Melilotus officinalisMelilot, SweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM233
Melilotus suaveolensSweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM11 
Melilotus wolgicusSweetcloverBiennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM10 
Nelumbo luteaAmerican Water Lotus, American lotusPerennial1.8 4-8  LMHNWa410
Nelumbo nuciferaSacred Water Lotus, Sacred lotusPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHNWa431

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Boiss.&Spauner

Botanical References

50

Links / References

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