Coronilla varia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ornithopus varius
• Securigera varia
• Securigera varia subsp. hirta
• Callistephana varia
• Astragalus glaucoides
• Coronilla varia f. bulgarica
• Coronilla varia var. ghilana
• Coronilla varia f. herbida
• Coronilla varia subsp. hirta
• Coronilla varia f. hypopedunculata
• Coronilla pyrenaica
• Coronilla varia f. macrantha
• Coronilla varia f. macrophylla
• Coronilla varia f. multipinnata
• Coronilla varia subsp. orientalis
• Coronilla varia f. pallescens
• Coronilla varia var. pauciflora
• Coronilla varia f. pauciflora
• Coronilla varia f. pedemontana
• Coronilla varia f. robusta
• Coronilla varia f. stricta
• Coronilla varia f. tenera
• Coronilla pendula
• Coronilla petraea
• Coronilla pallescens
• Coronilla multiflora
• Coronilla hirta
• Coronilla haussknechtii
• Securigera varia subsp. orientalis
• Coronilla varia f. recta
• Coronilla varia var. pyrenaica
• Coronilla varia var. hirta
• Coronilla varia var. orientalis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Coronilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely recognized for its presence across several regions in Northern Europe. Specifically, its range extends through the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. It is also commonly found throughout the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species can be located within the natural habitats of Norway. Finally, its geographical distribution includes the various terrains found across Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coronilla varia is characterized by its presence in diverse open landscapes, specifically thriving within forest edges, meadows, and shrubberies. This species occupies a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. By colonizing these transitional zones and sunlit openings, the plant finds the necessary light and structural variety provided by the interface between dense woodlands and open grasslands.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Coronilla varia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or other surface debris during unfavorable conditions. This life form enables the species to maintain stability and re-emerge effectively following seasonal changes, ensuring its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coronilla varia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial and independent plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. In terms of physical stature, it typically exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation. The plant's height varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0.3 m, a mean height of 0.442 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.442 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coronilla varia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for temperate legumes that allows for carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. A key physiological feature is its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which supports its growth in nitrogen-limited soils. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 14.86667 cm², which contributes to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 303.07 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's leaf mass per unit area and its efficiency in light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

14.86667 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

303.07 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coronilla varia is characterized by a biotic pollination process, specifically driven by insects such as bees. The flowering period begins in May and continues through September. This plant relies on sexual reproduction, as asexual reproduction is absent and self-fertilization is also noted to be absent, necessitating cross-pollination. The fruit produced is a dry, dehiscent capsule with an average length of 4 cm. Within these capsules, the seeds exhibit a mean length of 3.5 mm (with a range staying consistent at 3.5 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.00425 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0031 g to a maximum of 0.00698 g. The seed volume varies between a minimum of 3.1 mm³ and a maximum of 4 mm³, with a mean volume of 3.55 mm³. Following maturation, the dispersal syndrome is classified as anemochorous, indicating that the seeds are dispersed by wind.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

3.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00698 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00425166666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0031 g

Seed volume max:

4 mm³

Seed volume mean:

3.55 mm³

Seed volume min:

3.1 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Coronilla varia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arbutin, salicin.

arbutin

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

salicin

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti