Categories: Fabaceae

Slender serradella (Ornithopus pinnatus, J. Bot. 45: 420 (1907))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Mill.) Druce

Bibliography: J. Bot. 45: 420 (1907)

Year: 1907

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ornithopus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, W. Europe to Medit.

Description

Slender serradella, scientifically known as Ornithopus pinnatus, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family. This species was first formally described in the Journal of Botany in 1907 by the botanist Druce, following initial classification work by Mill.

Typically found in the Macaronesia region and extending across Western Europe to the Mediterranean, slender serradella has adapted to a variety of temperate climates. This geographical range highlights the plant’s versatility and resilience, spanning diverse ecosystems.

The plant has delicate, finely divided leaves that contribute to its “slender” descriptor. The leaves are characteristically pinnate, a common feature within the genus Ornithopus, and they display a sophisticated arrangement that underscores the plant’s adaptive strategies for sunlight capture and water retention. Blooms of Ornithopus pinnatus are small but notable, contributing to its ecological role as a pollinator-friendly plant.

As a member of the Fabaceae family, slender serradella partakes in the symbiotic relationships typical of legumes. This includes the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, an essential process for maintaining soil fertility and supporting the plant’s growth. Such attributes make it a valuable species not only in natural habitats but potentially for agricultural purposes as well.

In summary, slender serradella (Ornithopus pinnatus) is a noteworthy species within the Fabaceae family. Documented in early 20th-century botanical literature, its presence from the Macaronesia to the Mediterranean highlights its ecological importance and adaptability.

Common Names

Eng: yellow bird’s-foot, orange bird’s-foot, slender serradella
Cat: serradella pinnada
Swe: glappserradella, glappseradella
Cym: troed-yr-aderyn oren, troededn oren
En: Slender serradella, Orange bird’s-foot, Yellow bird’s-foot, Slender seradella, Yellow Birdsfoot
Af: Fyn seradella
Ca: Serradella pinnada
Fi: Tikaslinnunjalka
Fr: Ornithope penné, Pied-d’oiseau penné
He: כף-עוף מנוצה
It: Uccellina pennata
Sv: Glappserradella, Glappseradella
Cy: Troed-yr-Aderyn Oren, Troededn Oren

Synonyms

Ornithopus littoralis (Gand.)
Ornithopus nudiflorus (Lag.)
Coronilla ebracteata ((Brot.) E.H.L.Krause)
Ornithopus microphyllus (Gand.)
Artrolobium ebracteatum ((Brot.) Desv.)
Ornithopus laevigatus (Sm.)
Ornithopus pygmaeus (Viv.)
Ornithopus exstipulatus var. pygmaeus ((Viv.) Rouy)
Scorpiurus pinnatus (Mill.)
Ornithopus ebracteatus (Brot.)
Ornithopodium bracteolatum (Bubani)
Artrolobium pinnatum ((Mill.) Rendle & Britten)
Ornithopus exstipulatus (Thore)
Ornithopodium ebracteatum ((Brot.) Kuntze)

Distribution

Algeria (native)
Azores (native)
Baleares (native)
Canary Is. (native)
Corse (native)
East Aegean Is. (native)
France (native)
Great Britain (native)
Greece (native)
Italy (native)
Lebanon-Syria (native)
Madeira (native)
Morocco (native)
Palestine (native)
Portugal (native)
Sardegna (native)
Sicilia (native)
Spain (native)
Tunisia (native)
Turkey (native)
California (introduced)
Chile South (introduced)
New South Wales (introduced)
New Zealand North (introduced)
Queensland (introduced)
Tasmania (introduced)
Victoria (introduced)
Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images