Shrubby scorpion-vetch
Coronilla valentina
A tough little nitrogen-fixing shrub that flowers right through winter and knits together dry Mediterranean banks — modest bulk, but reliable soil support. Seeds are toxic to livestock.
Shrubby scorpion-vetch in a syntropic line
Shrubby scorpion-vetch belongs in the Shrub layer as a Secondary nitrogen-fixing species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.9 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Carob tree, Common sage. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -8°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Evergreen nitrogen-fixing shrub for dry banks and edges; trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact and dense.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring (scarify lightly) or take softwood cuttings in early summer.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Seeds and foliage contain toxic glycosides, harmful to livestock; flammable when dry on hot slopes.
Frequently asked questions about Shrubby scorpion-vetch
Is shrubby scorpion-vetch frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -8°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does shrubby scorpion-vetch need?
It does best on sandy, rocky ground, at pH about 6–8.5.
How much water does shrubby scorpion-vetch need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can shrubby scorpion-vetch handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — shrubby scorpion-vetch has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with shrubby scorpion-vetch?
Seeds and foliage contain toxic glycosides, harmful to livestock; flammable when dry on hot slopes.
Design your line to see how your land fits Shrubby scorpion-vetch.
Start designing your line →