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Pea Family

Leguminosae (Legumes)

Species on this page

Ecological note: The vetches, clovers and trefoils of the Pea family are a vital nectar resource for many insects. In this area they are particularly important for blue butterflies — Horseshoe Vetch is the sole larval foodplant of both the Chalkhill Blue and Adonis Blue, while Bird's-foot Trefoil supports the Common Blue. The flowers also attract bumblebees and other pollinators in good numbers.

Trifolium pratense

Red Clover

Height: 20 — 60 cm Flowers: May — September Wikipedia
Trifolium pratense — Red Clover at Lancing Ring Trifolium pratense — Lancing Ring
Trifolium pratense — Red Clover at Malthouse Meadow Trifolium pratense — Malthouse Meadow, Sompting — 29.06.2004

Trifolium repens

White Clover

Height: 8 — 20 cm Wikipedia
Trifolium repens — White Clover Trifolium repens — Garden — 25.06.2004
Trifolium repens — White Clover on grass verge Trifolium repens — Grass verge — 11.07.2023

Hippocrepis comosa

Horseshoe Vetch

Height: 15 — 30 cm Flowers: April — July Wikipedia

Larval foodplant of: Chalkhill Blue — Adonis Blue

Hippocrepis comosa — Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis comosa — Horseshoe Vetch

Lotus corniculatus

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil

Height: 5 — 30 cm Recorded: 28.05.2004 Location: Lancing Ring Wikipedia

Larval foodplant of: Common Blue

Lotus corniculatus — Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus — Bird's-foot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus — Bird's-foot Trefoil at Lancing Ring Lotus corniculatus — Lancing Ring — 28.05.2004
Lotus corniculatus — Bird's-foot Trefoil bud Lotus corniculatus — Bud — Lancing Ring — 14.06.2004

Vicia cracca

Tufted Vetch

Height: 80 — 200 cm Recorded: 18.06.2004 Location: Lancing Ring Wikipedia
Note: flowers are faded on this sample.
Vicia cracca — Tufted Vetch at Lancing Ring Vicia cracca — Lancing Ring — 18.06.2004

Vicia sativa

Common Vetch

Recorded: 01.05.2005 Location: Lancing Ring NatureSpot
Vicia sativa — Common Vetch at Lancing Ring Vicia sativa — Lancing Ring — 01.05.2005

Medicago sp.

Black Medic or Hop Trefoil?

Medicago sp. — Black Medic or Hop Trefoil
Identification uncertain — possibly Medicago lupulina (Black Medic) or Trifolium campestre (Hop Trefoil).
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