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Lotus pedunculatus facts for kids

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Lotus pedunculatus
Lotus uliginosus.jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Lotus
Species:
pedunculatus
Synonyms

Lotus uliginosus Schkuhr

Lotus pedunculatus (formerly Lotus uliginosus), the big trefoil, greater bird's-foot-trefoil or marsh bird's-foot trefoil, is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae).

It is a herbaceous perennial growing throughout Europe in damp, open locations. As one common name suggests, it is a larger plant than related Lotus species, growing 20–80 cm (8–30 in) tall, with leaflets 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) broad. Five to twelve golden-yellow flowers 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long are borne in an umbel at the tip of the upright stem.

Unlike related species, the stem is always hollow, and the sepals turn back at their tips – these sepal tips form a characteristic "green star" at the end of the flower bud. The peak flowering period in the United Kingdom is June and July.

Lotus pedunculatus occurs in a wide range of neutral, damp, open habitats, including certain fen-meadow plant associations such as Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow habitat.

Lotus pedunculatus is also a host plant for ovipositioning of the wood white butterfly, Leptidea sinapis.

Gallery

Lotus pedunculatus3 ies

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lotus pedunculatus para niños

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