Ladies' Fingers

(Anthyllis vulneraria L., Papilionaceae)

Also Called: Kidney Vetch.

Description: Perennial herb (rarely annual), 5-60cm (2-24in) high.
Stems generally tinted red and hairy.
Leaves very varied; the lower ones often entire; the upper ones compound with 1-6 pairs of leaflets and a large terminal leaflet.
Leaflets ovate or lanceolate, the upper surface often glabrous, the lower surface generally light-green and downy.
Flowers in a head at the end of a long stem; calyx felted, petals yellow, bright or dark, rarely or to red.
Flowering: May­autumn.

Part Used: The dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: On poor, generally cal­careous soils, in dry pastures and stony places throughout Europe.
Generally distributed in Britain.
Collected when in flower and dried either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents and Action: Active constituents still insufficiently known; tannins and a small amount of saponin have been reported.
Its action has not been sufficiently studied.

Usage: As an infusion (1 litre (1.75pt) of cold water on 1-2 tablespoonfuls of drug, boil for 3 minutes and allow to stand) as an application to wounds.
The bruised fresh plant may also be applied.