Horseshoe Vetch is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalky grassland and rocky areas, to a mature height of up to 20cm.
Horseshoe Vetch is named after the shape of its curved seed pods. Horseshoe Vetch bears its flowers in a distinctive arrangement, with up to eight flowers encircling and radiating outwards from the end of its flower stalks.
Botanic classification and naming: Horseshoe Vetch is a member of the Pea (Fabaceae) family. The genus name
'Hippocrepis' identifies the plant as a Horseshoe Vetch and its species name 'comosa' means 'hairy'.
Concerns: Horseshoe Vetch is difficult to establish in new areas and grows poorly from seed.
Benefits: Horseshoe Vetch provides a food source for caterpillars of the Adonis Blue and Chalkhill Blue butterflies. It also has root nodules that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These make atmospheric nitrogen available to feed the plant and enrich the soil.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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