Lotus creticus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lotus creticus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Lotus |
| Species: | L. creticus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lotus creticus L. | |
Lotus creticus is a species of perennial herb of the family Fabaceae[1] found in tropical Africa.[2] It is symbiosis-competent and engages in nitrogen-fixing symbiotic interactions with species of the Ensifer genus[3][3]. It comprises three varieties found in the Mediterranean. There is some controversy as to whether each subgroup could be considered the same species but are classically described as being subgroups.[3] Varieties consist of the most commonly cited silky-hairy var. creticus, which is widely distributed in its western part of the coast; the non-silky var. glabrescens, which has a western Mediterranean distribution; and the eastern Mediterranean var. collinus, which is also not silky and can be described by long petioles and peduncles.[3]
Lotus creticus has been described as a perennial herb of 1–2F with diffuse copiously-branched densely grey-silky Appearance.[2] Leaflets are fleshy and oblanceolate-cuneate. Flowers are in umbels with 4–8 on axillary peduncles.[2] Pedicels are described as short and bracts as a compound, equalling or shorter than the calyx.[2] Flowers are corolla yellow and twice the calyx with linear pods linear of 12–18 lines long, turgid with 9–15-seeds per pod.[1]
Symbiosis
Lotus creticus has been found to engage in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Ensifer numidicus.[4]
