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Lotus maroccanus

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Lotus maroccanus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Lotus
Species:
L. maroccanus
Binomial name
Lotus maroccanus
Synonyms[2]
  • Lotus maroccanus var. villosissimus Maire

Lotus maroccanus is a species of plant in the pea family that is native to morocco.[2] It grows in shrublands and in sandy areas. It may grow alongside roads and near the ocean among coastal sand dunes.[1] It is a perennial herbaceous plant that resembles a shrub. It is noted for being particularly salt tolerant.[3] In its native habitat it is a winter growing species and is frost tolerant, but is killed by low temperatures. The foliage is palatable to deer and rabbits outside of its native habitat.[4]

Description

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Lotus maroccanus is a perennial plant that may have either a few or many stems with a thickness of as much as 10 centemeters at their base. The stems may branch many times or just a few and also may either grow upwards or along the ground (prostrate). The stems are covered in dense to very dense hairs that are 0.1–1.8 millimeters long.[5] Their growth can make them resemble a low growing shrub.[6] Stems may be up to 47 cm long 2.5 mm thick.[5] Its root is tough and woody.[7] They have wide, compound leaves.[8]

Taxonomy

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Lotus maroccanus was scientifically described by John Ball in 1873.[2][7]

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Plant Biodiversity of South-Western Morocco – Lotus maroccanus (photographs)

References

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  1. ^ a b Groom, A. (2012). "Lotus maroccanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19892430A20096501. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T19892430A20096501.en. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Lotus maroccanus Ball". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  3. ^ Zahran, Hamdi Hussein (2006). "Chapter 8: Wild-Legume Rhizobia: Biodiversity and Potential as Biofertilizer". In Rai, M. K. (ed.). Handbook of Microbial Biofertilizers. Lucknow, U.P., India: International Book Distributing Co., Pub. Division. p. 209. ISBN 978-81-8189-166-2.
  4. ^ 1963 Annual Reports (Report). United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, National Plant Materials Center. 1963. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  5. ^ a b Mader, U.; Podlech, D. (1989). "Revision der marokkanischen Arten von Lotus L. subgen. Pdrosia (R. Lowe) Brand (Leguminosae)" [Revision of the Moroccan Species of Lotus L. subgenus pedrosia (R. Lowe) family (Leguminosae)]. Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung München (in German). 28. H. Merxmüller: 556–561. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Lotus maroccanus Ball". ILDIS World Database of Legumes – Version 10.38. 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b Ball, John (1873). "Descriptions of Some New Species, Subspecies, and Varieties of Plants Collected in Morocco by J. D. Hooker, G. Maw, and J. Ball". Journal of Botany, British and Foreign (in Latin and English). 11. Robert Hardwicke: 306.
  8. ^ "Lotus maroccanus Ball". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 21 August 2024.