Prostrate canary clover

Dorycnium pentaphyllum

Layer 5 · Ground cover
Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Prostrate Mediterranean leguminous subshrub that fixes nitrogen and forms a drought-resistant ground cover. In a food forest, it enriches the soil, controls erosion and its white flowering attracts pollinators. Prefers dry, stony and calcareous soils.

See which trees prostrate canary clover grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

Olive tree

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Prostrate subshrub up to 0.6 m
Mature diameter: 0.8 m
Soils: Sandy, Limestone, Loam
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March — Planting
April — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August
September
October — Planting
November — Planting
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The flowering tops are occasionally prepared as an infusion in traditional Iberian medicine for their mild diuretic and astringent properties.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

Olive tree

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.