Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus, Sp. Pl.: 744 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 744 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ornithopus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran

Description

Yellow Serradella, with its scientific designation Ornithopus compressus, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. This leguminous plant holds a significant position due to both its botanical characteristics and its geographical distribution.

First documented in 1753 within the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by the celebrated botanist Carl Linnaeus, Yellow Serradella has been recognized for its distinct morphology and ecological adaptability. As a part of the Fabaceae family, it shares common traits with other legumes, including the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which enhances its value in agricultural settings.

The geographical range of Yellow Serradella is quite extensive, spanning from the Macaronesia region across the Mediterranean basin and reaching as far as Iran. This broad distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability to various environmental conditions, from the temperate climates of the Macaronesian islands to the arid stretches of Iran.

Ecologically, Yellow Serradella plays a pivotal role in promoting soil health and supporting biodiversity. Its capability to thrive in a variety of soils, including those with lower fertility, allows it to improve soil structure and fertility through its nitrogen-fixing ability. This attribute makes it a beneficial plant for sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in regions where soil fertility is a concern.

Beyond its ecological and agricultural benefits, Yellow Serradella’s yellow flowers add a touch of beauty to the landscapes it inhabits. These blossoms not only attract pollinators but also contribute to the aesthetic value of natural habitats.

In summary, Ornithopus compressus, commonly known as Yellow Serradella, is an ecologically and agriculturally significant plant within the Fabaceae family, known for its ability to adapt across a wide geographical range from Macaronesia to Iran. Its inclusion in Linnaeus’s “Species Plantarum” and its contributions to soil health highlight its importance from both a historical and practical perspective.

Common Names

Dan: flad fugleklo
Nld: geel vogelpootje
Deu: gelber vogelfuss, gelber vogelfuß
Eng: yellow serradella, yellow bird’s-foot, cornicabra, pie de pájaro, yellow birdsfoot
Spa: cornicabra, pie de pájaro
Swe: gulserradella
Fra: ornithope comprimé
Ces: pta
Cat: serradella comprimida
Cym: troed-yr-aderyn melyn
En: Yellow serradella, Yellow bird’s-foot, Cornicabra, Pie de pájaro, Yellow birdsfoot
Af: Ceel seradella
Ca: Serradella comprimida
Cs: Pta, Ptačí noha smáčknutá
Da: Flad fugleklo
Nl: Geel vogelpootje
Fi: Keltalinnunjalka
Fr: Ornithope comprimé, Pied-d’oiseau comprimé
De: Gelber Vogelfuß, Gelber Vogelfuss, Flachhülsige Serradella, Flachhülsiger Vogelfuß
He: כף-עוף פחוסה
It: Uccellina comune
Es: Pie de pájaro, Cornicabra
Sv: Gulserradella
Cy: Troed-yr-Aderyn Melyn

Synonyms

• Ornithopus brevirostris (Pau)
• Ornithopus compositus (Pau)
• Coronilla compressa ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Ornithopus celtibericus (Sennen & Elías)
• Ornithopus compressus f. brevicornis (H.Lindb.)
• Ornithopus compressus f. longicornis (H.Lindb.)
• Ornithopodium compressum ((L.) All.)
• Ornithopus compressus var. leiocarpus (Willk.)
• Ornithopodium egoceraton (Bubani)
• Ornithopus martini (Giraudias)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Flozinha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Manuel Barón (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2018 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by damien solans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Ressayre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2020 by Thomas Brisard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Manuel Barón (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 31, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5358265)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:510843-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ornithopus compressus L.)

Specifications

Growth