Lotus genus of about 150 species of annuals, short_lived perennials, or semi evergreen subshrubs, found throughout most of the world. Some are frost resistant, others are not.

Lotus berthelotii is in the genus Lotus. Parrot’s beak, a perennial plant, endemic to the Canary Islands. This plant is either extinct in the wild or persists as a few individuals. Lotus berthelotii has a creeping or trailing habit. Leaves divided into 3-5 slender leaflets, each leaflet 1-2 cm long and 1-2 mm broad, densely covered with fine silvery hairs. The flowers are orange-red with yellow splashes, pea flower-shaped, 2-4 cm long and 5-8 mm broad. Flowers all summer, peak flowering period is end of the spring, and beginning of the summer. Although Parrot’s beak only grows to a height of around 20 cm, the plant trails can be 60-80 cm wide.

The flowers of Lotus berthelotii and some other Canary Island species appear to be adapted for bird pollination. It was once thought that the original pollinators of these plants were sunbirds which had become extinct on the Canary Islands, explaining why they are rare and considered endangered species. However more recent work has shown that these plants are adequately pollinated by non-specialist flower visiting birds

Parrot’s beak is cultivated in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant with its needle-like silvery foliage and red flowers for traditional gardens, container, and drought tolerant water conserving gardens. It should be planted 50-60 cm apart when grown as ground cover. A golden orange flowering cultivar is also grown.