Coronilla varia 'Crown Vetch'

(Syn. Securigera varia)

[Ex. Malé Karpaty 360 m., Slovakia]

Fabaceae: a spreading perennial to 1.20m. Found on waste ground, and fields. The flowers grow in a crown -like head, which are borne on stalks that are longer than the leaves. There are 10-20 flowers per head, usually with white wings and pink or purple standards. Blooming from March-July. The pod is up to 5cm long. The leaves are alternate and divided into between 7 and 12 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are up to 2cm long. Native to native to Africa, Asia and Europe. Naturalized in Britain. It has become an invasive species in many states of the US.

USES:

As fodder crown vetch is toxic to horses and other non-ruminants because of the presence of nitroglycosides. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or even death. However, this is not true for ruminant animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep. These aliphatic nitro compounds are degraded in ruminant digestion and do not affect the animals.

The whole plant, used either fresh or dried is a cardiotonic. It should be used with extreme caution, because of its toxicity. A decoction of the bark has been used as an emetic. The crushed plant has been rubbed on rheumatic joints and cramps.

GROWING INFORMATION:

The seed usually germinates in the autumn. Seed can be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in situ in April. Prefers an open well-drained calcareous soil in a sunny position, and can tolerate poor soils. A food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species. his species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Can be invasive.

A good bee and butterfly plant.

HARVESTED:

 
APPROX. 100 SEEDS