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Lotus uliginosus - Schkuhr.

Common Name Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
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 Marshes, ditches, freshwater margins and wet grassland[50, 200].
Range S.W. Europe - Portugal, Spain.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Lotus uliginosus Greater Bird


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Lotus uliginosus Greater Bird
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lotus uliginosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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 and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. pedunculatus. Cav.

Plant Habitats

 Meadow; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None Known

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

Insecticide  Soil reclamation

An insecticide is obtained from the plant[153]. No more details are given. This species is used as a pioneer plant in the reclamation of peat and pumice soils and on other wet acid soils that are unsuitable for the more commonly used Trifolium spp[200]. Nitrogen Fixer.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in wet acid soils[200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Does well on poor soils[61]. Suitable for naturalistic and conservation plantings in situations that approximate to its natural habitat[200]. 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 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

EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (west), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia), Romania, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias (Tenerife)), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Egypt (north), 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 halophilusGreater Bird's Foot TrefoilPerennial0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Lotus tetragonolobusAsparagus Pea, Winged peaAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNDM30 
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

Schkuhr.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Sep 16 2013 12:00AM

essences from this plant are to harmonize you right and lef site. is about change fear to love, disolve fear fro astral and mental body.- MONY essences

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