Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Fabaceae / Leguminosae ⟩ Hippocrepis comosa / horseshoe vetch

Hippocrepis comosa L.

horseshoe vetch (Fabaceae / Leguminosae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadStrong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Hippocrepis comosa is restricted to chalk and limestone downland in England and very rarely in Wales.

Hartslock (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-06

 horseshoe vetch / Hippocrepis comosa: _Hippocrepis comosa_ is restricted to chalk and limestone downland in England and very rarely in Wales.

The leaves of Hippocrepis comosa are pinnate, without tendrils; the fruit is a horseshoe-shaped pod.

Hartslock (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-06

 horseshoe vetch / Hippocrepis comosa: The leaves of _Hippocrepis comosa_ are pinnate, without tendrils; the fruit is a horseshoe-shaped pod.

The fruits of Hippocrepis comosa are long wavy pods, made up of a series of horseshoe-shaped segments, from which the species gets its common name.

Banner Down (VC6: North Somerset); 2022-06-19

 horseshoe vetch / Hippocrepis comosa: The fruits of _Hippocrepis comosa_ are long wavy pods, made up of a series of horseshoe-shaped segments, from which the species gets its common name.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne