Bean-Trefoil
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Bean-Trefoil
adenocarpus viscosus
Adenocarpus viscosus, commonly known as the Bean-Trefoil or Sticky Adenocarpus, is a remarkable high-altitude shrub endemic to the Canary Islands. Dominating the subalpine volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and La Palma, this hardy member of the pea family paints the rocky slopes with bursts of bright yellow flowers during its blooming season. Its ability to thrive in harsh, nutrient-poor volcanic soils makes it a cornerstone of its unique ecosystem. It is especially famous for the sticky, glandular hairs that coat its flower calyces and seed pods, a feature that earns it its specific epithet 'viscosus.' As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it plays a vital role in enriching the arid soils of places like Teide National Park, supporting a web of endemic insects and wildlife in an otherwise unforgiving environment.
Lebensraum: Found in dry, rocky, high-altitude subalpine zones and volcanic slopes, typically between 1,500 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
Aussehen
This densely branched, evergreen shrub typically grows between 0.5 and 2 meters tall. It features small, tightly clustered, dark green trifoliate leaves that are slightly hairy. During late spring and early summer, it erupts into dense terminal racemes of vibrant, golden-yellow, pea-like flowers. A key identifying trait is the presence of sticky, reddish-brown glandular hairs that prominently cover the flower bases (calyces) and the developing legume pods, giving the plant a distinctive tacky feel and a dotted appearance upon close inspection.
ReichPlantaeStammTracheophytaKlasseMagnoliopsidaOrdnungFabalesFamilieFabaceaeGattungAdenocarpus
Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
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Interessante Fakten
Despite being buried under snow in the winter and enduring blazing sun in the summer, this hardy shrub thrives in some of the highest elevations of the Canary Islands.
It is a foundational pioneer species in the extreme environment of Mount Teide, helping to build soil so other endemic plants can take root.
The species name 'viscosus' refers to the sticky, glue-like substance produced by glands on its seed pods, which easily stick to hikers' clothing.
Traditional beekeepers transport their hives up the mountainsides when the Bean-Trefoil blooms to produce a highly prized, single-flower mountain honey known as 'Miel de Retama del Teide'.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Nitrogen Fixation
Symbiotically partners with soil bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nutrients, allowing it to thrive in poor volcanic soils.
Fähigkeit
Glandular Defense
Produces a sticky, viscous secretion on its reproductive parts that deters crawling insect herbivores and protects developing seeds.
Fähigkeit
Extreme Climate Tolerance
Highly adapted to survive the intense solar radiation, strong winds, and extreme temperature fluctuations of subalpine volcanic calderas.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 50-200 cm
- Lebenserwartung
- 10-50 Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy from sunlight while supplementing its nutritional needs through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil minerals
- Atmospheric Nitrogen
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Pollinates the flowers while gathering nectar to produce high-altitude honey.
mutualism
Canary Skipper
Thymelicus christi
Relies on this plant as a critical nectar source in the high-altitude ecosystem.
mutualism
Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Inhabits root nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plant in exchange for carbohydrates.
Merkmale
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Bean-Trefoil?
Der einfachste Weg, Bean-Trefoil zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Bean-Trefoil?
50-200 cm
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Bean-Trefoil?
10-50 Jahre
Was frisst Bean-Trefoil?
As a photosynthetic plant, it generates its own energy from sunlight while supplementing its nutritional needs through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Wo findet man Bean-Trefoil normalerweise?
Found in dry, rocky, high-altitude subalpine zones and volcanic slopes, typically between 1,500 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
Snap-Karte
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Neueste Snaps
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