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Dorycnium

Family

Leguminosae

Of the dozen or so species that make up this genus none is genuinely shrubby, for much of the growth they make during summer dies the following winter after bearing flowers and seeds. But the two here described (especially D. suffruticosum) form woody permanent bases. They belong to the pea-flowered section of Leguminosae and are distinguished by the capitate inflorescence and the thick, short seed-pods. The leaves are really trifoliolate, but are made to appear quinquefoliolate by having two leaf-like stipules similar to the real leaflets. Very easily cultivated in an open position in a light loamy soil.

Species articles