Practical
Plants

Coronilla varia

Crown Vetch

a perennial member of the Coronilla genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.3 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant contains a toxic glycoside called coronillin[12][3][6][11]. It is one of the most toxic plants growing in Britain[12].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant, used either fresh or dried is a cardiotonic[12][3]. It should be used with extreme caution, see the notes above on toxicity[12]. A decoction of the bark has been used as an emetic[9]. The crushed plant has been rubbed on rheumatic joints and cramps[9].

Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Salve

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Can be used as an insecticide[4]. No more details are given. A good ground cover and soil stabilizer for sunny banks and slopes[7][8]. It grows rampantly and should not be grown with plants less than 1.8 metres tall[8].

Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe. Naturalized in Britain[5].
Habitat
Dry grassy places, railway embankments, roadsides etc[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe. The seed usually germinates in the autumn. Stored seed can be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in situ in April[2]. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots with a heel, June/July in a frame. Can also be taken in spring[2]. Division in March[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers an open well-drained calcareous soil in a sunny position[1][3][2]. Tolerates poor soils[7]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.2. A food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species[10]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  11. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  12. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

Edit this page