Lotus loweanus
Plant species in the pea family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lotus loweanus is a species of plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, which grows on the island of Porto Santo in the Atlantic Ocean.
| Lotus loweanus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Lotus |
| Species: | L. loweanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lotus loweanus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
Lotus loweanus is a ground hugging, prostrate plant with stems that are 15–46 centimetres (6–18 in) long. The plant has numerous narrow leaves covered in silvery, silky hairs. The flowers are a dark purple, almost black in color.[2]
Taxonomy
Lotus loweanus was scientifically described and named by Sabin Berthelot and Philip Barker-Webb in the book L'Histoire Naturelle des Îles Canaries in 1842.[1] It was collected by Richard Thomas Lowe together with Webb in 1828.[2]
Range and habitat
Lotus loweanus is endemic to the island of Porto Santo Island in the archipelago of Madeira. It grows on rocky slopes or hillsides near the ocean.[2]