Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 773 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lotus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Europe to Caucasus, NW. Africa
Description
Asparagus trefoil, scientifically known as Lotus maritimus, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. This plant has garnered interest due to its distinct characteristics and wide distribution across several regions.
Endemic to Europe, stretching towards the Caucasus, and extending into Northwestern Africa, Asparagus trefoil thrives in a variety of climates and terrains. Its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions showcases its resilience and ecological significance.
Characterized by its trifoliate leaf structure, Asparagus trefoil exhibits slender, elongated leaflets that imparts the ‘trefoil’ moniker. The plant typically flourishes in sandy soils, often found in coastal regions and meadows where moisture levels can vary. This habitat preference suggests a tolerance for saline and nutrient-poor soils, making it an interesting subject for botanical studies focused on plant adaptation and resilience.
A notable feature of Lotus maritimus is its flowering pattern. It produces clusters of bright yellow flowers that can be quite conspicuous against the verdant backdrop of its leaves. The flowers play a crucial role in attracting pollinators, which are essential for the plant’s reproductive cycle. This interaction between Asparagus trefoil and its pollinators is a fine example of nature’s intricate mutualistic relationships.
In terms of botanical classification, the authoritative reference for Asparagus trefoil is found in “Species Plantarum,” where it was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This historical context places the plant within a rich lineage of botanical research and documentation.
Despite its name, Asparagus trefoil possesses no culinary relation to asparagus. Instead, its nominal connection likely arises from a perceived resemblance in foliage structure. However, unlike the edible shoots of true asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), Asparagus trefoil is primarily valued for its ecological and ornamental roles.
In summary, Asparagus trefoil (Lotus maritimus) is a versatile and enduring plant with a widespread presence across Europe, the Caucasus, and Northwestern Africa. Its distinctive trifoliate leaves and bright yellow flowers contribute to its unique identity within the Fabaceae family, making it a fascinating plant for both scientific study and ecological appreciation.
Common Names
Eng: dragon’s-teeth
Deu: gelbe spargelerbse
Dan: kantbælg
Swe: klöverärt
Nob: kløverert
Nno: kløverert
Nld: hauwklaver
En: Asparagus Trefoil, Dragon’s Teeth, Dragon’s-teeth, Square-Podded Bird’s Foot Trefoil
Ar: لوطس بحري
Ca: Lot siliquós
Cs: Ledenec přímořský
Da: Asparges-Ært, Kantbælg
Nl: Hauwklaver, Gele lotus
Et: Niidu-asparhernes
Fi: Meriparsaherne, Parsaherne, Meriparsamaite
Fr: Lotier à gousse carrée, Lotier-pois, Lotier à gousses carrées, Lotier maritime, Tétragonolobe maritime
De: Gelbe Spargelbohne, Gelbe Spargelerbse, Spargelbohne, Spargelerbse, Spargelklee, Spargelschote
It: Ginestrino marittimo, Scandalida, Veccia pisella
Nb: Kløverert
Nn: Kløverert
Pl: Komonicznik skrzydlatostrąkowy
Sk: Paľadenec prímorský
Es: Corona de rey
Sv: Klöverärt
Cy: Coden onglog
Synonyms
- Tetragonolobus siliquosus var. bicolor (Maire)
- Lotus siliquosus subsp. bivoneus ((Guss.) Arcang.)
- Lotus siliquosus subsp. maritimus ((L.) Arcang.)
- Tetragonolobus glaucus (Dulac)
- Lotus pratensis (Mill.)
- Tetragonolobus tauricus (Bunge ex Nyman)
- Scandalida maritima ((L.) Scop.)
- Tetragonolobus maritimus ((L.) Roth)
- Lotus siliquosus var. maritimus ((L.) DC.)
- Scandalida flava (Medik.)
- Tetragonolobus prostratus (Moench)
- Tetragonolobus siliquosus var. aureus (Maire)
- Tetragonolobus bouteloui (Willk.)
- Tetragonolobus maritimus var. hirsutus ((Willk.) Muñoz Garm. & Pedrol)
- Tetragonolobus siliquosus var. hirsutus (Willk.)
- Lotus siliquosus var. glaber (Klett & Richt.)
- Lotus bouteloui (Nyman)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jun 30, 2012 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2018 by orsatus (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2013 by Joan Curià (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2005 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2013 by Joan Curià (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2005 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2013 by Joan Curià (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 20, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 12, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 20, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 1, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Ken Sedman (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 23, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Fabienne PAIRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Fabienne PAIRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356973)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:503752-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lotus maritimus L.)