Hippocrepis comosa
Hippocrepis comosa (Fabaceae) 131 20
Hippocrepis comosa (common name: horseshoe vetch) is a species of perennial flowering plant belonging to the genus Hippocrepis in the family Fabaceae.
The overall appearance depends on its habitat: sometimes it forms upright clumps of flowers; at other times, it sends prostrate leafy runners over a wide area; sometimes it distributes itself as single flowers. The flowers are small, yellow or sometimes orange/red (becoming yellow as they mature), and of typical shape for the family Fabaceae: these appear for a period of two weeks around May.
Hippocrepis comosa is a calcicole (found only on chalk and limestone). It is a hardy plant that survives long periods of cold winters and dry summers years after year. Colonies are not harmed by sheep grazing, and are resistant to moderate trampling; they do not thrive after heavy ploughing or disturbance of the ground. In areas grazed by cattle they disappear, sometimes after several years (depending on grazing intensity.)
Hippocrepis comosa
Hippocrepis comosa (Fabaceae) 131 20
Hippocrepis comosa (common name: horseshoe vetch) is a species of perennial flowering plant belonging to the genus Hippocrepis in the family Fabaceae.
The overall appearance depends on its habitat: sometimes it forms upright clumps of flowers; at other times, it sends prostrate leafy runners over a wide area; sometimes it distributes itself as single flowers. The flowers are small, yellow or sometimes orange/red (becoming yellow as they mature), and of typical shape for the family Fabaceae: these appear for a period of two weeks around May.
Hippocrepis comosa is a calcicole (found only on chalk and limestone). It is a hardy plant that survives long periods of cold winters and dry summers years after year. Colonies are not harmed by sheep grazing, and are resistant to moderate trampling; they do not thrive after heavy ploughing or disturbance of the ground. In areas grazed by cattle they disappear, sometimes after several years (depending on grazing intensity.)