The Common Kidneyvetch is a wild shrub native to Europe and North America with a long tradition as a medicinal plant. As the plant contains many saponins and tannins, the tea made from blossoms and leaves is well suitable for the treatment of wounds and ulcers. Because of this high publicity, many different common names for this wildflower developed regionally.
Today, the common kidneyvetch is, however, only used as a homeopathic remedy and as an ingredient of blood-purifying herbal teas anymore.
But kidneyvetch can do so much more. It's an excellent pioneer plant on barren, calcareous soils. It's often found on dry grasslands, at waysides, embankments, and old quarries. As a deep rooter, the plant forms a long taproot that provides good airing and permeability in the soil. Furthermore, it belongs to the plants that settle rhizobia on their roots and can, therewith, bind nitrogen from the air. As it reacts sensitively to fertilizer, it, by now, belongs to the endangered plants that get rarer.
The blossoms are rich in nectar and, because of their shape, offer a good feeding site especially to bumblebees and butterflies.
Altogether, the whole plant is a popular foodplant with many pets.
The common kidneyvetch has also a certain reputation as a magic plant. Therefore, the blossoms are laid into the baby cot to protect the child from sorcery and imprecations.
