6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes

It’s our great hope that each of you will truly enjoy reading, as well as hopefully learning from, this article about these 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes. We certainly enjoyed compiling and presenting the data for you. May it enthrall you with the wonders of Nature.

Obviously, these few species presented here represent only a tiny percentage of such marvels. We think, however, that the plants contained herein serve as excellent examples of the Family. You can also find other such wonders within the pages of our other articles.

Parrot’s Beak

Parrot’s Beak Facts

• Leading off this article about these 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes we present the dazzling plant named the Parrot’s Beak.
• This gorgeous product of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the common name due to its appearance. The visually unique plant has several others, however. These include such terms as the pelican beak, the coral gem, and the lotus vine flower.
• Among scientific professionals, though, such as researchers, it’s usually referred to by its formal technical name. Fortunately, that’s relatively easy to pronounce, compared to many others, at least. That’s because it bears the formal name of the Lotus berthelotii.
• Regardless of which term one chooses to employ when speaking of it, the plant remains a remarkable species, as well as a member of the pea Family! The first formal recognition of it as a separate and distinct species, furthermore, occurred in 1881.
• The Parrot’s Beak appears to be nearly extinct in the wild. Despite this fact, though, the IUCN presently has no listing for it on the organization’s Red List. It’s an extremely popular ornamental species, though, providing some security from extinction.
• The surviving specimens in the wild, however, face severe threats to their existence. Habitat loss forms a real and present danger to them. The remaining wild specimens, though, likely face their greatest threat in the form of ongoing climate change.

Parrot’s Beak Physical Description

The beautiful Parrot’s Beak easily catches the eye with its beauty and distinctive appearance, of course. It accomplishes this, though, without the benefit of great size, as some species do. That’s because it generally spreads outward, instead of reaching upward, like many.

Officially, it qualifies as what’s known as an evergreen prostrate shrub. It’s also sometimes referred to as a subshrub, due to its low height. Most specimens, in fact, only attain a height measuring an average of 7.9 in (20 cm). It’s nevertheless an impressive variety of flora.

It typically spreads outward, along the ground, not climbing, unlike many related species. In point of fact, it manifests a strong, creeping or trailing tendency. In this it somewhat resembles a vine in nature. Its visual appeal doesn’t simply end here, however.

It also produces numerous leaves, typically divided into 3 – 5 leaflets. Each of these, in turn, usually grows to a length of about 0.4 – 0.8 in (1 – 2 cm), and has a width of around 0.04 in (1 mm). These further manifest a dense covering of small, silver-colored hairs.

It’s the flowers of the aptly-named Parrot’s Beak that serve as the source of its primary common name. These develop long and slender, averaging 0.8 – 1.6 in (2 -4 cm) in length, and about 0.2 – 0.3 in (5 – 8 mm) in width. Many think these resemble the beak of a parrot.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophytes
• Class: Angiosperms
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Lotus
• Species: L. berthelotii

Parrot’s Beak Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Sadly, its own range of natural distribution qualifies as one of the leading factors in its demise in the wild. That’s due to the fact that it appears to only be endemic to a very small section of the globe. That’s also a highly restrictive zone of habitation, given its nature.

That holds true due to the nature of where it evolved. This marvel of Nature exists in the wild, at least for the moment, only in a tiny portion of the Atlantic Ocean. More specifically, its native range appears to be limited to the what’s now known as the Canary Islands.

Presently, furthermore, no evidence exists that it ever appeared beyond that range. Due to the nature of its evolutionary range, it understandably prefers a tropical climate. In that native range, the few specimens left appear to prefer open, strongly sunlit areas.

This species followed a slightly different path than some, in terms of pollination, however. That holds true due to the fact that insects do not appear to be its primary pollinators. Research indicates that it achieves the majority of its pollination via birds.

Previous research had indicated the likelihood that its main pollinators consisted of local species of sunbirds. Those, however, later became extinct. Subsequent study indicated that, in actuality, pollination occurs via the activities of random local avian species.

Visitation by such birds to the stunning Parrot’s Beak, though happen infrequently. The plant therefore evolved a unique adaptation. The blooms endure for a much greater span of time than most related species. This allows for increased chances of successful pollination.

Texas Bluebonnet

Texas Bluebonnet Facts

• The second species chosen for inclusion in this compendium of 6 Lovely Leser-Known Legumes is the delicate marvel named the Texas Bluebonnet.
• Clearly, the highly distinctive name applied to the flora serves as one of the common names of a seemingly delicately beautiful plant. This wonderful marvel of Nature also goes by the similar alternate common name of the Texas lupine.
• The wonder of Nature and evolution also possesses the slightly complex scientific name of the Lupinus texensis. By either name, though, its remains a deceptively sturdy species. This fantastic plant also typically presents in only its base form.
• In recent years, though, this has begun to change within its naturally occurring populations. That holds true due to the surprising fact that isolated mutations of the beautiful plant have recently begun to appear in scattered portions of its range.
• For the moment, at least, botanists remain at a complete loss for an explanation for this trend. Regardless of this, though, the state of Texas officially recognizes both the original species of the flower, and all mutations of it, as the official state flower.
• Despite these factors, the Texas Bluebonnet seems to be maintaining a population base that’s both sufficent and stable. This also appears to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN, therefore, currently lists it as Least Concern.
• It must nevertheless be considered to be at some risk. It presently faces numerous threats to its continued existence. These include habitat loss and human expansion. Like many species, however, its greatest threat most likely consists of climate change.

Texas Bluebonnet Physical Description

The truly stunning Texas Bluebonnet boasts several physiological characteristics that make it worthy of note. The amazing plant actually has quite humble beginnings, though. That holds true due to the fact that this gorgeous plant begins its life as an extremely tiny seed.

That tiny source of life boasts an extremely tough outer layer, however. It’s so tough, in fact, that it often takes months, or even years for the weather to erode the outer layer. This means that germination quite often never has the chance to occur, depending on weather.

Once germinated, however, the tiny seedling of the species most commonly appears in the Fall. The undeniably stunning plant also evolved as a biennial species. The flora additionally grows slowly during the winter and does not attain full growth until the onset of Spring.

But, once the gorgeous flora does reach its full growth, the flower typically reaches a maximum height measuring around 24 in (60 cm). In addition to its size, the magnificent Texas Bluebonnet also presents a striking visual image to those who encounter it.

In point of fact, the individual specimens boast some stunning colors. Individuals plants primarily develop as dark blue in color. But, although rare, variations in this basic pattern do sometimes occur. The colors of these isolated mutations include pink, maroon, and white.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Class: Eudicots
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Lupinus
• Species: L. texensis

Texas Bluebonnet Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unfortunately for those who appreciate its beauty, the Texas Bluebonnet only inhabits a small section of the globe. That’s because it only lives in a small part of the continent of North America. Specifically, it mainly appears in the state of Texas, in the United States.

The species nevertheless also appears in smaller, widely scattered populations in the states of Florida, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Even within this highly restricted range of habitation, however, this botanical marvel shows decided preferences for the regions it inhabits.

In point of fact, and rather surprisingly, these generally constitute relatively inhospitable regions. The species most often prefers loose, often rocky soil. The truly beautiful flower also commonly grows in uncultivated areas, including prairies, and along roadsides.

The beautiful Texas Bluebonnet also most typically grows in areas of direct sunlight. In such a setting, its dazzling color scheme typically creates a visually dynamic effect to observe. Its inherent beauty, as is often the case in Nature, conceals a dangerous attribute, however.

That holds true due to the fact that this delicate wildflower also lists as moderately toxic. Yet, it does not generally pose a threat to humans unless ingested. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Angiosperm also serves as an important food source for several species of butterflies.

Jade Vine

Jade Vine Facts

• The third entry into this compilation of 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes is the startlingly beautiful flora known by the term of the Jade Vine.
• Its highly unique nature ranks as the most noteworthy fact about the gorgeous Angiosperm. The beauty of this plant conceals the point that it’s actually a legume. Botanists list them as closely related to beans such as the runner bean and kidney bean.
• It also holds other common names, though. These include such terms as the emerald vine and the turquoise jade vine. Among scientists, though, it’s typically known by its formal name. That, however, is the tongue-twisting Strongylodon macrobotrys.
• While the seed pods of the species remain technically edible, the plant is not for consumption. It does have other uses, though. That’s true because of the sheer beauty of the flowers it produces. Cultivators grow it mostly as an ornamental species.
• For now, the IUCN does not have a classification of the species on its Red List of Threatened Species. But, experts consider it endangered due to its limited range and the threats it faces. These primarily include habitat loss and climate change.
• The species has another unusual distinction, separating it from related species. Unlike the majority of plants, a specific bat species forms the primary pollination of this species. Certain butterfly species also play a small role in its pollination, however.

Jade Vine Physical Description

The bright and beautiful Jade Vine evolved to grow as a perennial vine. Plus, the remarkable plant also has a fascinating trait. That holds true due to the fact that it doubles as a legume.  The strong and fast-growing vines can attain lengths of as much as 59 ft (18 m).

The impressively resourceful plant also clings to and climbs on virtually anything it encounters. This source of support primarily consists of various trees within its native environment. The leaves of the vine have a pale green color and consist of three leaflets.

When these leaves fall, a surprising transformation takes place. This holds true due to the fact that at that time, these turn to either a dark blue or purple in color. The seed pods of the Jade Vine rarely exceed 6 in (15 cm) in length. These often contain up to 15 seeds.

Yet the flowers of this visually stunning plant understandably garner the most attention. That’s partly because the claw-shaped blooms hang in trusses consisting of as many as 75 flowers. These remarkable trusses can reach lengths of as much as 9.8 ft (3 m).

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Strongylodon
• Species: S. macrobotrys

Jade Vine Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Since the stunning Jade Vine grows natively only in the Philippines, its habitat is quite restricted. Even there specimens only occur in regions of montane and tropical forests. It appears most often beside streams or in ravines, the latter for unknown reasons.

This amazing species has also been transplanted to a few other regions of the world. This artificial distribution most notably includes the country of South Africa. The species further has a strong presence in greenhouses and botanical gardens worldwide.

Its unique pollination relationship with bats arose due to a very specific reason. This occurred as a result of the shape of its distinctive blooms. The vines also generally intertwine themselves along the branches and trunks of trees, creating a network.

A mature specimen of the Jade Vine further requires about two years to flower and produce fruit. Most commonly, the plant amazing grows prolifically in its native habitat. Unfortunately for those who attempt to grow it, it’s difficult to propagate in cultivation.

Telegraph Plant

Telegraph Plant Facts

• Next up amaong our choices for inclusion in this article about 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes comes the uniquely-named Telegraph Plant.
• The term applied to it clearly serves as the name given to a remarkable and impressive species. The unique plant also bears the cumbersome scientific name of Codariocalyx motorius. By any name, it remains an extremely fascinating type of flora. 
• The Latin term motorius, which forms part of its hard to pronounce scientific name, also springs from a particular physical ability. That’s because it also represents one of the few known plants possessing a remarkable ability.
• That’s due to the fact that it’s capable of comparatively rapid movement. In yet another astounding gift from Nature, however, the leaves also move to follow the sun. It does this in order to maximize its use of the sun’s rays.
• Individual specimens also have the amazing ability to move comparatively quickly. Its ability to move with the sun has led to its being commonly used in gardening. It also holds a place of honor in science for another reason.
• That holds true due to the fact that Charles Darwin himself became the first person to describe the Telegraph Plant. This occurred in a scientific publication in 1880. Since it fortunately appears to have a stable population, the IUCN has no listing for it.

Telegraph Plant Physical Description

Doubtless, the most memorable physical feature of the Telegraph Plant is its remarkable leaflets. In point of fact, its best known for the astonishing movement of this incredible foliage. In addition to their ability to move, these develop as small and laterally shaped.

These appear in large numbers. Plus, the ability of this flora to move follows certain patterns. During the day the foliage commonly moves rapidly enough to be seen with the eye. The closure time measures 3-5 minutes, and happens due to its desire to follow the sun.

The small flowers of the Telegraph Plant also develop numerous in number. These appear a bright purple in color. This plant also produces large quantities of compounds known as tryptamine alkaloids. These chemicals develop primarily in its leaves and roots.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Class: Eudicots
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Codariocalyx
• Species: C. motorius

Telegraph Plant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

It perhaps comes as no great surprise that the incredible Telegraph Plant evolved as native to an area already renowned for its botanical diversity. That’s because this bewildering plant originates within the region of the world now known as tropical Asia.

In fact, the highly unique flora actually appears naturally across a comparatively wide swathe of the continent. Not only that, though, but the portions of the continent in which the marvel of Nature occurs naturally includes numerous countries.

Primarily, this includes the countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bhutan, China, India, and Thailand. The impressive species also lives in one particular portion of the remote South Pacific. There, it appears naturally on the chain of islands named the Society Islands.

Given the region of the globe in which this remarkable plant evolved, the endemic habitat of the amazing Telegraph Plant comes as no surprise. That’s due to the fact that its native habitat consists primarily of rainforest, so common to this area.

However, even within that environment, it stands out. In point of fact, its requirements continue to be quite specific and demanding. That holds true because the impressive species develops most especially in regions with relatively loamy and sandy soil.

Shameplant

Shameplant Facts

• The fifth species making an appearance on this list of 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes bears the unsual name of the Shameplant.
• Perhaps most notably, this deceptively simple-seeming flora most frequently goes by the rather surprising common name. Do not let that term fool you, however. In reality, it represents a fascinatingly evolved member of the pea/legume Family.
• It also goes by several other common names, though. These alternate terms themselves further provide subtle clues to its unique nature. Those terms include the sleepy plant, the sensitive plant, the action plant, and, most distinctively, the touch-me-not.
• Professional researchers, meanwhile know it best by its scientific name of Mimosa pudica. By either of these many terms, though, it remains a remarkably adapted species. It’s often planted by gardeners solely out of appreciation for its remarkable traits.
• The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus made the first formal recognition of the plant as a separate and distinct species. This intriguing recognition, furthermore, took place in the year 1753. The official publication of his work appeared in a book he published.
• Fortunately, the awesome Shameplant appears to be maintaining a population that’s both sufficient and stable. This further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its natural range. The IUCN therefore currently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
• This status nevertheless remains uncertain, due to rapidly changing factors. For now, it faces no immediate threat from habitat loss, due to its range of appearance. It remains vulnerable to the same danger posed by climate change as all species, however.

Shameplant Physical Description

Despite its name, the incredible Shameplant has absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. In this wonderful species of Angiosperm, Nature created a flora possessed of an astounding ability, in fact. It also evolved to develop as either a perennial or annual flowering plant.

When young, the thin central stem it produces remains mostly erect. As it ages, however, this turns into a creeping vine. In point of fact, this stem, which frequently branches, often hangs quite low, and has a decidedly limp consistency to it. It also has a prickly convering.

In total, the central stem attains an average length of roughly 5 ft (1.5 m). Form this, the many smaller stems branch out and develop elongated leaves. These further generally number between 10 – 26 in total, evenly arranged on opposite sides of the stem.

The flowers of the Shameplant, meanwhile, also appear along the length of the central stem. After blooming, these present as either a bright purple or a pale pink in color. Its prickly skinned fruit also develops in clusters of 2 -8 small pods, and contain tiny brown seeds.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperm
• Class: Eudicots
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Mimosa
• Species: M. pudica

Shameplant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The amazing Shameplant presently has a primarily pantropical distribution, as well as also appearing in other regions. It originally evolved as native to portions of Central America and South America, however. The actions of man quickly spread the plant, though.

Now, this highly adaptable plant grows in the wild in many scattered parts of the globe. These include such regions as southern Africa, southern and eastern Asia. It’s also become quite well established in southern portions of the United States, in North America.

Its adaptability further serves to allow it to flourish in varied climates and habitats. Its native one, though, consisted of the tropical portions of Central and South America. The intrepid species nonetheless thrives, apparently equally well, in different temperate regions.

It nonetheless primarily grows in soil types that might surprise most people. That’s because it grows best in areas consisting of nutrient poor soils. The Shameplant also, however, prefers direct sunlight, performing less well in regions including copious shade.

It’s best known, though, for one amazing attribute. That’s due to the fact that its leaves actively defend themselves from damage! More precisely, if shaken or touched, these fold in on themselves in a matter of seconds. These then open again a few minutes later.

Lotus Corniculatus

Lotus Corniculatus Facts

• Closing out this collection of 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes we present the gorgeous flora known to many as the Lotus Corniculatus.
• The term for this species serves as the scientific name of a stunning and extremely unusual, small flowering plant. It also goes by several common names, though. These include the birdsfoot deervetch, and even the comical eggs and bacon.
• But, regardless of the name one uses for it, the gorgeous plant remains a true marvel of Nature. This actually holds true for reasons other than just its beauty, however. Believe it or not, the stunning species actually constitutes a member of the pea family.
• You do not want to eat it, though, regardless of its remarkable visual appeal. That’s due to one very astonishing fact. That’s the startling fact that this botanical beauty actually contains naturally occurring trace amounts of the deadly chemical cyanide.
• In extremely small amounts, however, this beautiful and remarkable species has some specific medicinal uses. To the great surprise of many people, though, the beautiful plant also actually gets widely used as a source of forage for many types of livestock.
• The majority of animal species kept as livestock, fortunately for them, have an advantage over human beings. That’s true since many of these animals can eat the beautiful, yet quite dangerous, Lotus Corniculatus without incurring harmful effects.
• As a rule, most animals have a much greater natural tolerance for small concentrations of cyanide than homo sapiens. Fortunately, the flora also has a comparatively wide range of natural distribution. Therefore, the IUCN currently has no listing for it.

Lotus Corniculatus Physical Description

Most notably, though seemingly extremely delicate, the magnificent Lotus Corniculatus surprises most people. That’s due to the fact that this particular variety of Angiosperm conceals a great many surprises. Among those is the fact that it’s actually quite hardy.

Nonetheless, sheer physical size does not rank as one of the astounding characteristics of the beautiful Angiosperm. That remains true since this herbaceous plant only achieves a maximum known height of about 8 in (20 cm) unless supported by other plants.

This stunning flora also most commonly grows in a sprawling manner along the ground. It rarely does so over great distances, however. The small flowers of the gorgeous Lotus Corniculatus additionally display combinations of orange and yellow color.

Not surprisingly, since it is part of the pea family, the seeds further develop in small, elongated pods. The leaves of the remarkable plant also most commonly grow in groups of five. Typically, three of these form a natural trefoil pattern over the other two.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Class: Eudicots
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Lotus
• Species: L. corniculatus

Lotus Corniculatus Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Surprisingly, the visually breathtaking, and scientifically fascinating, Lotus Corniculatus remains endemic to a remarkably large section of the globe. In point of fact, the intriguing plant inhabits a wide swathe of the continents of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.

Within that truly impressive geographical range of habitation, the plant also predominantly appears in regions of grasslands. Regardless of its habitat, though, this marvelous species of flora qualifies as far more than just another visually appealing creation of Nature.

This particular Angiosperm also has an incredibly extreme level of durability. This holds true even to the point of surviving being trampled by livestock. In addition, this unexpectedly tough species also grows equally well in both nutrient-rich soils and nutrient-poor soils.

The Lotus Corniculatus additionally most commonly grows in areas that most plants would find forbidding. In point of fact, this primarily consists of regions of grassland with a high percentage of sand. Few species with comparable beauty can make this unusual claim.

Due to its comparative hardiness, farmers often actually use it in cultivation, especially in certain parts of Europe. As a result of this surprising practice, this wonder of Nature has become considered an invasive species in some portions of Australia and North America.

6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes

We sincerely hope that each of you has thoroughly enjoyed reading this article about these 6 Lovely Lesser-Known Legumes. It’s also our fervent hope that having done so has left you with an urge to learn more about other such wonders of the natural world.

Sadly, though, many of these marvels of evolution now find themselves facing dire threats to their existence. These include habitat loss and, of course, climate change. It’s up to each and every one of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve them all.

Check out our other articles on 7 Spectacular Species of the Seychelles, The Mighty Tornado, 5 Surprising Freshwater Animals, Earth’s Countless Amazing Amphibians