Coronilla L.

Genus composed of 10 species, mainly distributed along the Mediterranean region. In North Africa there are 7 species, all Mediterranean. C. scorpioides and C. repanda are annual herbs. C. minima has woody stems, but does not exceed 30 cm. The other 4 species can be considered subshrubs or shrubs.Very close to both these species is Hippocrepis emerus subsp. emeroides (Boiss. & Spruner) Lassen [C. emerus L., C. emeroides Boiss. & Spruner, Emerus major subsp. emeroides (Boiss. & Spruner) Soldano & F.Conti]. A deciduous shrub, hermaphrodite, up to 1.5(2) m in height, with imparipinnate leaves, with 2-4 pairs of subequal leaflets. Inflorescence axillary, in fascicles of 2-5 large flowers (14-20 mm long), on a peduncle longer than the subtending leaf. Calyx glabrous, greenish, shortly campanulate, divided at its end into 5 small triangular subequal teeth. Corolla butterfly-shaped, yellow, petals with a characteristic long claw or basal tail (2-3 times the length of the calyx). Fruit a linear-cylindrical pod, slightly compressed, hanging, with slightly marked segments. This species is characteristic of Mediterranean forests and thickets, in subhumid environments. It has been quoted in North Africa as a rare species and very localised in Tunisia (littoral and sublittoral mountains, between Tunis and Grombalia —Jebel Bu-Kornin, Jebel Ressas, etc.—) and in northern Libya, where it has not been found again. It is unclear whether this citing was an error or it has become extinct.

Updated by: H. Sainz & J. Charco.