Lotus tetraphyllus Murray

Spice In the field

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Lotus

Catalan common name: Territjol. Trèvol de quatre fulles.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rocky coastlines. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Holm oak forest and garriques.

Characteristics: This species is endemic to the Eastern Balearic Islands, has leaves with four folioles (instead of five, like other Lotus sps.) that are more or less triangular in shape with a truncated apex. Flowers are golden yellow that close up when there is not enough light. Lives in garrigues and pineries, but also can colonize rock crevices.