BIRD'S-FOOT |
ORNITHOPUS PERPUSILLUS |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: Height up to 8cm. A wonderful perennial legume that can easily be overlooked despite its stunning beauty. The leaves are borne in pairs of 6 to 12 on prostrate, downy stems with a larger terminal leaflet at the end. The three petals of the flower are white with the upper lip (the standard) ornately decorated with stunning reddish-pink lines. The pods are jointed, with curved valves and when grouped together give the appearance of a bird's foot. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout. HABITAT: Grassland especially near the coast. can be found in other sandy, gravelley areas and also on walls and heathland. FLOWERING TIME: May to August . |