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.
Lassen, P. 1989. A new delimitation of the genera Coronilla, Hippocrepis and Securigera (Fabaceae). Willdenowia 19: 49-62.
Key to species
1 Leaves with 9-21 leaflets. Flowers pink Coronilla viminalis
1 Leaves with 3-7 leaflets. Flowers yellow 2
2 Stems not arundinaceous, with unequal branching Coronilla valentina
2 Leaves with 9-21 leaflets. Flowers pink 3
3 Leaves narrow, oblong-linear, fleshy. Pod with clearly marked segments Coronilla juncea
3 Leaves wide, spatulate, only slightly or not at all fleshy. Pod with segments not clearly marked Coronilla ramosissima
Updated by: H. Sainz & J. Charco.