Saturday 16 September 2023

Kidney Vetch

So far as I can work out, the taxonomy of Kidney Vetches Anthyllis spp is a mess. There are 18 recognised species at the moment, with one naturally occurring named hybrid. The most widespread species is Anthyllis vulneraria, which has more than twenty subspecies, with territories that overlap with each other and with A. montana, a very similar species in the mountains. So far as I can work out this photograph is probably A. vulneraria subspecies alpestris (Fr. Anthyllide alpestre).  Many guides are out of date and not listing current names. 

Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria alpestris, Hautes Pyrenees, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.

A. v. alpestris is found on sunny mountainsides, in short alpine grasslands and amongst dry calcareous rocks. It can have yellow, pink or white flowers, from May to August. In France it is found in the Jura, Alpes and Pyrenees, as well as southern Germany.

The plant was photographed in July 2023 near Lac du Gaube in the Pyrenees, at around 1800 metres.

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