Broom (Cytisus scoparius)

Family: Fabaceae

Common name: Broom

Scientific name: Cytisus scoparius

Date taken: 26/5/2024

Notes: A shrub with eye-catching bright yellow flowers. Unlike Gorse (Ulex spp.), broom has normal leaves with 1-3 leaflets. Stems strongly four-angled.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Family: Fabaceae

Common name: Red Clover

Scientific name: Trifolium pratense

Date taken: 14/5/2023

Notes: Iconic plant in meadows and grasslands. Could be distinguished from the Zigzag Clover (T. medium) by its hairy calyx tubes and broad stipules.

Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)

Family: Fabaceae

Common name: Common Vetch

Scientific name: Vicia sativa

Date taken: 14/5/2023

Notes: Important features for identification include (1) leaves having 4-8 pairs of leaflets, (2) leaflets being pinnately veined, (3) terminal leaflets develop into tendrils, and (4) flower stalks short to absent. The species is similar to Bush Vetch (V. sepium), but has hairier leaves, lighter-coloured flowers, and calyx teeth that have similar lengths.

Ants guarding the plants were notably annoyed by my presence, but having kept my distance I left unscathed.