This annual plant with a Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution is present in all regions of mainland Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, in Sicily, and in Sardinia. It grows in the gaps of Mediterranean garrigues and on uncultivated ground, on soils that are dry in summer, from sea level to about 600 m, with optimum in the Mediterranean belt. The species is rare in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry grasslands and ruderal vegetation. The genus name derives from ancient Greek and means 'bird's foot' in reference to the characteristic shape of the legume, which is similar to the nails of the feet of some birds; the species name refers to the leaves, which are imparipinnate. Flowering period: April to June. |
