Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Beans & Peas. But also some trees, hedges, clovers, & vetches. Almost all have the distinctive "pea-like" flower, so often referred to in nature guides: 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and a single compartment pistil that developes a single row of seeds. The two lower petals are fused along their edges, to form the "keel", the two lateral or side petals often stand out from the keel to form the "wings", and the upper petal, usually the largest, forms the banner.

The fruit, when dry, usually splits open forcefully, effectively scattering the seeds. I have heard stories of walking along the trails on Montara Mountain while the Lupine are popping, but have yet to experience this. (Lupines, both annual and perennial variety, make wonderful garden plants, and can easily be propagated from seed.)

Many of the species found in the Bay Area are introduced aliens; some on purpose, some accidentally. On Montara Mountain, particularly bothersome invasives include Bird's Foot Lotus and the infamous French Broom, species that are so aggressive they inhibit any native vegetation from re-establishing in disturbed areas. Elimination is advised.

 Fabaceae is well represented on Montara Mountain. Members include:

French Broom
Genista monspessulana

Wild Sweet (Everlasting) Pea
Lathyrus latifolius

Pacific Pea
Lathyrus vestitus

Bird's Foot Lotus
Lotus corniculatus

Mat Forming Lotus
Lotus heermannii
var. orbicularis

Deer Weed
Lotus scoparius

Yellow Bush Lupine
Lupinus arboreus

Montara Mtn Blue Bush Lupine
Lupinus eximus

Varicolored Lupine
Lupinus variicolor

Bur Clover
Medicago polymorpha

Indian Meliot (Sour Clover)
Melilotus indica

Hop Clover
Trifolium campestre

Little Hop Clover
Trifolium dubium

Rose Clover
Trifolium hirtum

Giant Vetch
Vicia gigantea

 


 

Lotus corniculatus:
Bird's Foot Lotus

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Flowers: Yellow turning to Orange, pea-like in clusters at top of stems.

Blooms: June - August

Leaves: Leaf like bird's foot, with three leaflets, 2 leaf-like structures at base of stem.

Fruit/Seeds: ??.

Location: Nearly all trails - disturbed areas.

Status: Alien - Invasive - Common and spreading.


Lotus corniculatus

600x450 JPEG - 24K

 

Further description & Comment: 6 - 12 inches tall, low spreading colonies from central anchor points.

 As an invasive alien species, Bird's Foot Lotus seems to taking over many of the niches normally occupied by the natives Varicolored Lupine and Deerweed. We've tracked it's spreading up about a mile of San Pedro Road in McNee Ranch State Park in the last 3 years. It moves beyond the disturbed trail and road areas into the grassy areas where the lupine grows.

 


 

Lotus heermanii
var. orbicularis:
Mat-forming Lotus

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Flowers: Yellow/orange, tubular, often reddish at base during formation; less than 1 inch each, in whorled clusters along stem.

Blooms: April - August.

Leaves: Groups of three in short stems off stalk, almost fleshy and shiny looking.

Fruit/Seeds: Round pods, reddish-green.

Location: Rockier areas along trails, open areas.

Status: Native - Common.

Lotus heermanii
var. orbicularis
600x450 JPEG - 40K

Further description & Comment: Mat-forming Lotus is very similar to Lotus scoparius. (Deer Weed) except that it forms a dense spreading mat instead of a bush. L. heermanii. is also hairier and does not form woody stems.

Like Deerweed, it finds itself being crowded out by the invasive Lotus corniculatus .(Bird's Foot Lotus) which also favors opens rocky and sandy areas.

The image at left shows the plant doing what it does - forming a mat on a rock face along North Peak Road.
600x450 JPEG - 92K

 


 

Lotus scoparius:
Deer Weed

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Flowers: Yellow, tubular, often reddish at base during formation.

Blooms: Spring - ??

Leaves: Groups of three in short stems off stalk, almost fleshy and shiny looking.

Fruit/Seeds: Round pods, reddish-green.

Location: Rockier areas along trails, dry open areas.

Status: Native - Common.


Lotus scoparius
600x450 JPEG - 36K

Further description & Comment: 1 - 3 feet tall, low, tangled bush colonies. Similar to Mat Forming Lotus - Lotus heermannii var. orbicularis. but more of an upright bush with a woody central stem.

The native Deerweed is sometimes mistaken for the alien Lotus corniculatus (Bird's Foot Lotus) which is becoming much more widespread and looks to be crowding out Deerweed in places.

The image at left shows the flowers and seeds in various states of formation. 600x450 JPEG - 36K

 


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