Lotus Corniculatus l Menacing Beauty

Lotus Corniculatus Facts

The term of Lotus Corniculatus serves as the scientific name of a stunning and extremely unusual, small flowering plant. It also goes by several common names, though. These include the birdsfoot deervetch, and even the comical eggs and bacon.
But, regardless of the name one uses for it, the gorgeous plant remains a true marvel of Nature. This actually holds true for reasons other than just its beauty, however. Believe it or not, the stunning species actually constitutes a member of the pea family.
You do not want to eat it, though, regardless of its remarkable visual appeal. That’s due to one very astonishing fact. That’s the startling fact that this botanical beauty actually contains naturally occurring trace amounts of the deadly chemical cyanide.
In extremely small amounts, however, this beautiful and remarkable species has some specific medicinal uses. To the great surprise of many people, though, the beautiful plant also actually gets widely used as a source of forage for many types of livestock.
The majority of animal species kept as livestock, fortunately for them, have an advantage over human beings. That’s true since many of these animals can eat the beautiful, yet quite dangerous, Lotus Corniculatus without incurring harmful effects.
As a rule, most animals have a much greater natural tolerance for small concentrations of cyanide than homo sapiens. Fortunately, the flora also has a comparatively wide range of natural distribution. The IUCN therefore currently has no listing for it.

Rosy Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus — Rosy Periwinkle

Lotus Corniculatus Physical Description

Astonishingly, though seemingly extremely delicate, the magnificent Lotus Corniculatus surprises most people. That’s due to the fact that this particular variety of Angiosperm conceals a great many marvels. Among those is the fact that it’s actually quite hardy.

Nonetheless, sheer physical size does not rank as one of the astounding characteristics of the beautiful Angiosperm. That remains true since this herbaceous plant only achieves a maximum known height of about 8 in (20 cm) unless supported by other plants.

This truly stunning flora also most commonly grows in a sprawling manner along the ground. It very rarely does so over great distances, however. The small flowers of the gorgeous product of Nature additionally display combinations of orange and yellow color.

These also appear in clusters, typically ranging from 2-7 in number. Each flower has the typical legume structure with a banner, wings, and keel. Each of its stunning blooms remains separately small, though. These structures average 0.4 – 0.8 in (1 – 2 cm) in length.

The leaves of the Lotus Corniculatus also merit interest. These develop as compound, with three main leaflets, and two more the base. In shape, they appear oblong to elliptical, usually with a blunt tip. These develop as green, sometimes with a slight blueish tint.

Not surprisingly, since it represents part of the pea family, the seeds further develop in small, elongated pods. The leaves of the remarkable plant also most commonly grow in groups of five. Typically, three of these form a natural trefoil pattern over the other two.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Lotus
Species: L. corniculatus

Lotus Corniculatus Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Surprisingly, the visually breathtaking, and scientifically fascinating, Lotus Corniculatus remains endemic to a remarkably large section of the globe. In point of fact, the intriguing plant inhabits a wide swathe of the continents of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.

Due to its comparative hardiness, farmers often actually use it in cultivation, especially in certain parts of Europe. As a result of this surprising practice, this wonder of Nature has become considered an invasive species in some portions of Australia and North America.

Despite its seeming fragility, the wonder of evolution displays an impressive degree of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat. It’s therefore found in a surprisingly broad range of ecosystems within its native range. This provides it with an evolutionary advantage.

It mainly appears in grasslands and meadows. These include both natural and semi-natural areas, including pastures. It also prefers well-drained soils and areas with moderate fertility. Yet, it’s also seen along roadsides, railway embankments, and other disturbed sites.

The remarkably intrepid plant’s additionally frequently spotted at the edges of woodlands, and in clearings within forests. It prefers bright sun, but tolerates shade. Though less common, heathlands and moorlands also serve as another area it sometimes inhabits.

The Lotus Corniculatus achieves its pollination via the actions of a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. These creatures also remain crucial for the reproductive success of many plants and contribute to the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

It serves vital purposes where it appears. It provides both habitat and food for many insect species, supporting complex food webs. Its seeds and foliage also serve as food for birds and small mammals. Grazing animals, such as rabbits and deer, also feed on the plant.