Lotus angustissimus L.
slender birdsfoot trefoil
Annual; stems usually sparsely to moderately pilose, sometimes glabrous, hollow, prostrate to erect, not woody at base. Lvs usually moderately to densely pilose, rarely glabrous, sessile; leaflets obovate, elliptic or lanceolate, acute, cuneate to obtuse at base, (2)-3-10-(12) mm long, lacking conspicuous lateral veins. Peduncles < to somewhat > lvs, up to 40 mm long. Infl. 1-2-(3)-flowered. Calyx usually sparsely to moderately pilose, sometimes glabrous; calyx teeth ± equal, linear-lanceolate, usually = or > tube. Corolla yellow, 6-8-(9) mm long; keel ± right angled at about middle or above. Pod straight or slightly curved, rounded, not winged, (15)-20-30-(35) × 1-1.5-(2) mm; seeds c. 1 mm diam.
N.: locally common throughout, particularly N. of Waikato; S.: Irwell (Canterbury).
W. and S. Europe, Asia Minor, S.W. Asia, N. Africa 1883
Waste places, thin pasture, scrubland, usually in dry situations.
FL Nov-May.
A completely glabrous form of L. angustissimus is found at some localities. L. angustissimus is distinguished from L. suaveolens by the more sharply angled keel and the long thin pods (Fig. 63).
