Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Lotus sericeus DC.

Borderline fully-hardy, rounded to spreading, evergreen or semi-evergreen, silver-hairy bush with pinnate leaves, composed of 5 elliptic leaflets, to 2cm long, and axillary and terminal umbels of 4-10, pea-like, pink-flushed, creamy white flowers, to 2cm long, in summer and autumn.  To 60cm.  [RHSE].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Lotus hirsutus, according to Linnaeus, is a native of the South of France, Italy, and the East.  In mild winters it will bear the open border with us, but it is more generally kept in the greenhouse, of which indeed it has long had possession, being cultivated, according to Mr. Aiton, in 1683, by Mr. James Sutherland.  It flowers from June to August.  Its blossoms are of a white colour, which, being contrasted with the redness of the calyx, gives them a pleasing appearance; Casp. Bauh informs us, that they are purple also.  This shrub will acquire the height of several feet; its flowers are usually succeeded by seed-vessels, which in favourable situations produce perfect seeds, by which the plant is easily propagated, as also by cuttings.’  [BM t.336/1796].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.651/1857].

Notes

Lotus sericeus Pursh (1814) = Hosackia sericea (Pursh) Branner & Coville, syn. Hosackia purshiana Benth.

Lotus sericeus Moench (1802) = Lotus creticus L.

Published Dec 23, 2009 - 04:30 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 12:26 PM

Figured are silvery pinnate leaves and terminal umbels of creamy, pink-flushed flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.336, 1796.

Lotus sericeus DC. | BM t.336/1796 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Western Mediterranean

Synonyms
  • Dorycnium hirsutum Ser. 
Common Name

Hairy canary clover

Name in the Camden Park Record

Lotus sericeus 

Confidence level medium