Piorno (Lotus brunneri)

Herbaceous shrub, often creeping but can reach up to 60 cm. Highly branched stem; leaves in groups of 2-3, light green or glaucous, linear or oblanceolate, tip generally pointed. Flowers arranged in clusters of 3-5, yellow, forming long narrow legumes, as is typical of other species of the genus Lotus. Native to Cape Verde and found on the three eastern islands (Sal, Boavista and Maio). It was also recorded for São Vicente, but is only abundant on Sal. It grows equally in sandy, stony or rocky terrain, from sea level to 380 m, but mainly in lower arid zones. This species is under threat from grazing animals and ploughing, particularly in the south of Sal.