The Ordinary Lotus

Ordinary lotus (Lotus corniculatus var. Corniculatus) is a common perennial plant from the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae). Lotus is the name given to the plant because of the round pods. The number of chromosomes is 2n = 24.

The 5-25 cm tall plant has an inflorescence of up to about seven yellow to orange, 15 mm large flowers. Inflorescence a screen. The flower bud is usually red. Not all flowers into seeds. The flowering period is from May to September with a peak in June. The fruit is a round, approximately 4.5 cm long, smooth pods.

The horizontal to ascending stems are not hollow, unlike that of the straight lotus. The often hairy, obovate to oval leaves are grouped in fives, while the bottom two are smaller and separated the top three. The bottom two leaves are like stipules but are not.

The plant resembles the field pea (Lathyrus pratensis). The leaves and flowers differences: the flowers of the field pea colors orange and field pea, the leaves are more pairs.

The lotus grows in moderate like rich soil, the plant is in the low dunes and grassland.

The plant is native to Eurasia and North Africa and was imported into North America and is there for the winning of feed used.

The lotus is common host plant for the locust moth (Zygaena filipendulae), the Common Blue, boswitje (Leptidea sinapis) and the critically endangered brown Skipper (Erynnis tages). The mi-butterfly, Essex Skipper, Green-veined White and the silver-studded blue visit this plant.

For several solitary bees, like the big harsbij (Anthidium byssinum), small wolbij (Anthidium punctatum), the silver whistle (Mega Chile leach ella) and goudenslakkenhuisbij (Bee Osmia aurulenta) this plant is a plant gestation. They collect nectar and pollen. Also various types of bumblebees whim this plant, including the stone Bumblebee.



Names in other languages:

• German: Gewöhnlicher Hornklee, Gemeiner Hornklee

• English: Common Bird's-foot trefoil

• French: Lotière cornicule, Pied-de-poule




Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gewone_rolklaver


See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist