Common Kidney-Vetch
ExplorePlants
Common Kidney-Vetch
Anthyllis vulneraria
Common Kidney-Vetch is a cheerful little plant with bright yellow flowers. It grows in grassy places and helps feed bees and butterflies. It's a great friend to nature!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Kidney-Vetch has soft, downy stems and leaves, topped with distinctive, clover-like clusters of bright yellow, orange, or sometimes red flowers. These vibrant blossoms stand out against its grayish-green foliage, making it easily noticeable in meadows and dry grasslands.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusAnthyllis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even after flowering, its distinctive, swollen calyx makes it easy to spot in the meadow.
It's a vital food plant for caterpillars of the tiny Small Blue butterfly, a rare species!
Often called 'Lady's Fingers', its flower clusters resemble small, vibrant yellow gloves.
Remarkably, the flower color can shift from yellow to orange or red depending on the local soil.
Special abilities
Ability
Soil Enhancer
Common Kidney-Vetch can pull nitrogen from the air into the soil, making it richer for itself and other plants.
Ability
Resilient Rooter
Common Kidney-Vetch has deep roots that help it find water and nutrients in dry, nutrient-poor soils where others struggle.
Ability
Healing Helper
Common Kidney-Vetch has compounds that were traditionally used to help heal wounds, giving it its scientific name!
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbits graze on its leaves and stems.
depends on
Small Blue Butterfly
Cupido minimus
Its caterpillars feed exclusively on Kidney-Vetch leaves.
pollinates
Small White Butterfly
Pieris rapae
Feeds on nectar, helping transfer pollen.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick plants unless an adult says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Kidney-Vetch?
10-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Common Kidney-Vetch?
1-2 cm
When does Common Kidney-Vetch bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Common Kidney-Vetch edible?
Yes
Is Common Kidney-Vetch toxic?
None
What is Common Kidney-Vetch's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Common Kidney-Vetch pollinated?
Insect
Where is Common Kidney-Vetch usually found?
Grasslands
Snap Map
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