All flowers
Coral Gem Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Coral Gem

Lotus berthelotii

Rare beauty.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Lotus
Native to
Canary Islands
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
Perennial trailing subshrub
Height
15-30 cm
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Well-drained, sandy
Water
Low to moderate
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Coral gem is critically endangered in the wild, with very few plants remaining in Tenerife.
  • The claw-shaped flowers resemble lobster claws or parrot beaks, earning it many colorful names.
  • It was likely pollinated by sunbirds that are now extinct in the Canary Islands.
  • The silvery, needle-like foliage is an adaptation to reduce water loss in dry conditions.
  • Despite being rare in nature, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental hanging basket plant.

Color meanings

0

Preciousness

1

Rarity

2

Exotic charm

Uses

  • Hanging baskets
  • Container gardening
  • Conservation
  • Ornamental trailing plant