Lotus arenarius

Lotus arenarius

Native to:
Egypt, Morocco, Portugal, Senegal, Spain

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Lotus
Species:
Lotus arenarius
USDA Symbol:
LOAR9

Growth Characteristics

Height:
40 cm
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
yellow
Ground Cover:
Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to coastal sandy areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from brief hot water treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI