kidney vetch

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• kidney-vetch
• lady's fingers
• Kidney Vetch
• lady's-fingers
• woundwort
• Common Kidney-Vetch
• common kidneyvetch
• ladies’ fingers

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vulneraria anthyllis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Anthyllis vulneraria, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is further categorized into the genus Anthyllis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its distribution extends further north to include the landscapes of Finland and Iceland. Additionally, the species is well-established within the British Isles, specifically inhabiting Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its characteristic range within the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anthyllis vulneraria is characterized by its preference for open, well-drained landscapes, where it frequently colonizes alpine meadows and pastures. It thrives in these high-altitude or temperate environments, often occupying nutrient-poor, calcareous, or sandy soils that are subject to moderate disturbance. Because it is well-adapted to the competitive yet resource-limited conditions of montane grasslands, it can withstand various climatic stressors common to these habitats, such as intense solar radiation and fluctuating seasonal temperatures. Its presence in these pastures often indicates a specific niche within the plant community where it can coexist with various grasses and herbaceous species, contributing to the biodiversity of these open ecosystems.

Habitat :

alpine meadows and pastures

Life history

The life history of Anthyllis vulneraria is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennuating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it enters periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anthyllis vulneraria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic requirements. Its shoots display an ascending orientation, and the plant typically reaches a maximum height of 1 m, with a minimum height of 0.05 m and an average height of approximately 0.275 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.275 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anthyllis vulneraria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on soil-derived nutrients rather than the capture of prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 10.07 cm² and a maximum leaf length of 3.1 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 162.7 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf thickness and the investment of biomass relative to its surface area for gas exchange and light interception.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

3.1 cm

Leaf size mean:

10.07 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

162.7 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anthyllis vulneraria is a specialized process characterized by biotic pollination and sexual reproduction, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through August, facilitating a window for successful fertilization. The plant relies on a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing insects with a strong emphasis on bees to ensure the transfer of pollen. Interestingly, self-fertilization is absent, necessitating these insect intermediaries for genetic exchange. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces fruit in the form of a dehiscient capsule. The resulting seeds are small, with a consistent mean length of 1.5 mm (ranging from a minimum of 1.5 mm to a maximum of 1.5 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.002825859 g, with individual seeds falling between a minimum of 0.00196 g and a maximum of 0.00451 g. Following maturation, the seeds are distributed via an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00451 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002825859 g

Seed mass min:

0.00196 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anthyllis vulneraria has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Anthyllis vulneraria has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isoflavones, Isohamnetin, Kanzonol C, Rhamnetin, Soyasapogenol B.

Isoflavones

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Isohamnetin

1. Mutation research

Kanzonol C

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Rhamnetin

1. Mutation research

Soyasapogenol B

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

apigenin

1. Mutation research

luteolin

1. Mutation research

quercetin

1. Mutation research

Activities

Anthyllis vulneraria has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative.

Antiproliferative

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Anthyllis vulneraria has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, wound healing, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations