Anthyllis montana, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 178

7. A. montana L. , Sp. Pl. 719 (1753).

Perennial with woody stems, often forming large clumps. Leaves mostly near the base of the flowering stems, rarely up to the middle or above, imparipinnate; leaflets 17-41, narrowly elliptical to narrowly obovateoblong, subequal, pubescent on both surfaces; leaf-bases dilated, sheathing, striate. Flowering stems erect, sericeous to hirsute. Flowers in dense heads, subtended by palmatisect bracts borne just beneath the flowers. Calyx tubular, with subulate, plumose teeth about equalling the tube. Corolla red to purple, the standard much exceeding the other petals. 2n=12. Alps and mountains o f S. Europe. Al Au Bu Ga G r He Hs It Ju Rm.

Polymorphic; three rather indistinct subspecies may be recognised. 1 Calyx-tube and calyx-teeth both c. 2 mm; terminal leaflets rounded, differing somewhat in shape from the laterals

(c) subsp. hispanica

1 Calyx-tube and calyx-teeth both 3 mm or more; terminal leaflets similar in shape to the laterals, rarely larger or smaller

2 Calyx-tube and calyx-teeth both 3-4 mm; corolla pink; bracts usually exceeding the flowers (b) subsp. jacquinii

2 Calyx-tube and calyx-teeth both 4-5 mm; corolla purple; bracts usually not exceeding the flowers (a) subsp. montana