Lotus delortii.Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus delortii
No English common name
Lotier de Delort

In Situ in the woods above Lacoste, 5.22.13

Bloom, 5.22.13

Flower bud, 5.22.13

Close up of hairs covering leaves and stems

Lacoste, 5.22.13

 

 

Lathyrus hirsutus.Wild Pea

Lathyrus hirsutus
Hairy Vetchling, Caley Pea
Gesse hirsute

Legume native to Europe

In southern US grown for forage, erosion control and soil improvement

Lathyrus sativus is known to be toxic; the seeds were used to make bread in a WWII concentration camp in the Ukraine (Vaponiarca) which eventually caused paralysis and death of the inmates – L. hirsutus is not toxic

In Situ, Lacoste, 5.22.13

Form

Christiaan Sepp illustration, 1823, published in Flora Batava

 

Lactuca perennis.Blue Lettuce

Lactuca perennis
Blue lettuce
Laitue vivace

Latin ‘lactuca’ means ‘milk’ referencing the abundant milky white sap which freely flows from any wounds in the plant. The sap contains lactucarium, which is used as a digestive aid, diuretic, and sedative

Present in most of central and southern Europe, it is a common plant on sunny, rocky soils; prefers calcerous soils

 

In Situ, 5.17.13, Lacoste valley

Bloom

Leaf

Jacob Sturm illustration, 1796