1249 Lotus corniculatus L.

This polymorphic species (cf. Fl. Eur. 2/1968, p. 174 f.) is indigenous in Europe, N. Africa and parts of Asia. Being to a certain degree used as a forage crop, it has been widely spread by man. Several occurrences in N. Europe (and probably elsewhere) are casual. The population from Nepal to Japan is distinguished as subsp. japonicus Reg. The species has been introduced into Africa, N. America, S. Australia and New Zealand. The closely related L. alpinus (DC.) Schleich. occurs in S. European mountains. Cf. also Meusel et al. 1965, map p. 240.