MARIANNA – a perennial herbaceous plant of the legume family, known scientifically as Lotus. The plant is characterized by ascending and creeping stems that may lie on the ground or rise slightly above it. Leaves are compound, trifoliate, and pinnate; the first pair of leaflets is displaced toward the petiole base, while the others are arranged alternately along the stem. Leaf margins are smooth, bases are cuneate, and tips are rounded or slightly truncated.
Flowers growing on umbellate inflorescences have a bright yellow main color with red and orange shades; sometimes spots or stripes are present. Each bud is 1–2 cm in size, and the coloration is zygomorphic – five petals. Upon maturity, dry legume fruits of brown color are formed.
MARIANNA is widespread in various ecosystems: from lawns and flowerbeds to road verges, wastelands, river and stream banks, rocky landscapes, meadows, steppes, and savannas. The plant is adapted to light-loving conditions and can be found in both xerophytic and mesophytic environments. Due to its decorative appearance, fodder properties, and use in folk medicine, MARIANNA is valued both in horticulture and agriculture.
