Horseshoe Vetch

Hippocrepis comosa

Common & widespread throughout Britain.

The overall appearance depends on its habitat: sometimes it forms upright clumps of flowers; at other times, it sends prostrate leafy runners over a wide area; sometimes it distributes itself as single flowers.

The flowers are small, yellow or sometimes orange/red (becoming yellow as they mature), and of typical shape for the family Fabaceae: these appear for a period of two weeks around May.

Foodplant for both Chalkhill & Adonis Blue Butterflies.