Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii), also known simply as Trailing Lotus or Coral Gem, is a perennial, herbaceous, and flowering species widely appreciated as an ornamental plant thanks to its trailing growth habit, bluish foliage, and vibrant flowers in shades of red, yellow, or orange. It is often used in landscaping projects, especially in hanging baskets, window boxes, rock gardens, and xeriscape designs, where its spreading, cascading form and drought tolerance are particularly valued. Parrot’s Beak enjoys notable popularity in regions with subtropical and Mediterranean climates and is cultivated in many countries for garden decoration.
The scientific name Lotus berthelotii originates from the classical Greek word “lotos,” a term historically applied to various leguminous plants. The specific epithet “berthelotii” pays tribute to the French naturalist Sabin Berthelot, noted for his studies of Canarian flora in the 19th century.
Endemic to the Canary Islands, specifically the island of Tenerife, Lotus berthelotii occurs exclusively in this Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. In its natural habitat, Parrot’s Beak is found mainly in dry and rocky zones within the Canary pine forests, thriving on volcanic slopes and dunes, often growing alongside species such as Pinus canariensis, Cistus symphytifolius, and Echium virescens. These habitats are characterized by well-drained soils, intense sunlight, and a subtropical climate with low water availability. The species is currently limited to a few wild locations and is classified as critically endangered due to habitat loss, overharvesting, and low genetic diversity.
Lotus berthelotii is a herbaceous plant with a trailing or cascading habit, often considered subshrubby because older specimens develop a slightly woody base. It remains low-growing, typically reaching about 2 to 8 inches (5–20 cm) in height, with stems that can extend sideways up to 3 feet (1 meter), forming dense, wide mats. Its root system is taproot-type, characteristic of dicotyledons, providing strong anchorage in rocky, well-drained soils. The stems are thin, flexible, ranging in color from grayish to greenish, with a surface covered in silvery trichomes that give them a silky texture and a shiny appearance. Branching is abundant, and growth is relatively fast under favorable conditions.
The leaves of Lotus berthelotii are compound, divided into 3 to 5 extremely narrow linear leaflets, measuring about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 cm) long and approximately 0.04 inches (1 mm) wide. Arranged alternately along the stems, the leaves are sessile or have very short, almost imperceptible petioles. Their predominant color is grayish-green, bluish, or silver, thanks to the dense pubescence formed by fine, shiny trichomes that cover the entire leaf surface. The leaves of Parrot’s Beak are evergreen, featuring a soft, delicate texture to the touch, entire margins, and faint leaf veins.
Lotus berthelotii is a monoecious species, bearing hermaphroditic flowers grouped in terminal or axillary inflorescences comprised of clusters of 2 to 6 flowers. Blooming mainly occurs in spring and early summer. The inflorescences stand out for their vibrant flower colors, ranging from yellow to a bright red over a yellow base; the flowers have a narrow, pointed shape resembling a bird’s beak, with the bilateral symmetry typical of Fabaceae (legumes). Pollination is primarily ornithophilous, carried out by bird visitors such as the Canary Islands chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis). Fruits, which are rare in cultivation, are small, elongated, laterally compressed pods that contain several dark or black seeds. The seeds are small, rounded to ellipsoidal, and their dispersal occurs mainly through gravity.
Parrot’s Beak is available in different cultivars, mainly distinguished by flower color and vegetative vigor. Among these, we can mention:
- ‘Gold Flash’: features vibrant orange to golden blooms, frequently used in hanging baskets and window boxes.
- ‘Red Flash’: displays striking deep red flowers, highly valued for its intense coloration during blooming season.
- ‘Scarlet’: stands out for its dense silvery foliage and vivid red blossoms.
- ‘Amazon Sunset’: a hybrid variety producing reddish-orange flowers with a trailing, cascading habit, popular for suspended containers.
- ‘Fire Vine’: selected for its early flowering and abundant reddish-orange blooms.
- ‘Aurea’: a rare variety distinguished by predominantly yellow flowers.
Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii) is a species that has drawn scientific interest thanks to its rare adaptation for bird pollination, a phenomenon uncommon among legumes. For a long time, it was believed that its original pollinators were sunbirds from the Nectariniidae family, now extinct in the Canary Islands, leading to theories about its extreme rarity in the wild. However, recent studies show that native birds such as the Canary Islands chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis) still play an important, albeit less efficient, role in pollinating Parrot’s Beak.
In modern landscaping, Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii) is widely used as an ornamental plant due to its trailing habit, silvery foliage, and exotic, vibrantly colored flowers. Its cascading growth makes it ideal for hanging baskets, raised planters, cracks in pavement, or borders along walls and slopes, where it can form a dense, decorative mat. In residential gardens, Parrot’s Beak is recommended as ground cover in sunny, dry areas, enhancing xeriscape or Mediterranean-style gardens. The plant can also serve as a focal point in mixed arrangements, thanks to its unique inflorescences that resemble the beaks of tropical birds or even tongues of flame.
It can be grown in containers or window boxes both outdoors and indoors, as long as there is ample light, well-drained potting mix, and sufficient sun exposure to stimulate blooming and healthy growth. Parrot’s Beak pairs well with other species such as succulents (Sedum spp.), lavenders (Lavandula spp.), or ornamental grasses, creating striking contrasts in textures and colors. Beyond its ornamental value, Parrot’s Beak can attract local birds to the garden, adding greater interest and a dynamic touch to the landscape.
Parrot’s Beak requires high light levels, thriving best in full sun for abundant flowering. In regions with very hot summers, it tolerates light partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon without loss of vigor. It is best suited to subtropical and Mediterranean climates with mild winters (USDA zones 10–11), but can be grown as an annual or an indoor container plant in cooler areas. Parrot’s Beak is sensitive to the cold, does not tolerate frost, and may be damaged by temperatures near 32°F (0 °C), so it needs protection through fall and winter. Excessively warm nights can inhibit bud formation and shorten the flowering period. Strong winds may break its slender stems, and direct sea spray can scorch its foliage, so choose a sheltered but well-ventilated site.
In garden beds, Parrot’s Beak needs light, sandy, and very well-draining soil with low to medium fertility and no compaction. For containers, use a porous potting mix with good aeration (e.g., peat or coconut coir plus perlite or coarse sand), avoiding heavy mixes that retain too much moisture. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal, but this species is relatively tolerant as long as drainage is efficient.
Water moderately and regularly, letting the potting mix dry out on the surface between waterings; excessive moisture can cause leaf drop and root rot. Once well established, Parrot’s Beak is drought-tolerant but flowers more profusely with moderate moisture and low-salinity water—adjust the frequency according to the climate (generally 1–2 times per week during warm periods and less often in cool weather).
Plant Parrot’s Beak seedlings in the garden during mild weather, in well-drained planting holes, keeping them at the same level as the root collar. Arrange the trailing stems across the surface, making sure to leave enough space for their spreading or trailing habit. Fertilize sparingly, prioritizing slow-release fertilizers with low nitrogen and good potassium and phosphorus content (NPK 04-14-08) at the beginning of spring, and supplement in summer with light biweekly fertigation to sustain blooming.
Train Parrot’s Beak in hanging baskets, planters, or as borders, guiding the stems to achieve even coverage. Regularly pinch the tips to encourage branching and perform a cleanup pruning after peak flowering, removing sparse or aged stems and avoiding severe cuts during the hottest periods. Apply a light and well-aerated mulch—preferably mineral—to reduce evaporation and soil splash, keeping it away from the base of the plant, and maintain by removing spent blooms and yellowed leaves.
When cultivated, Parrot’s Beak is relatively robust but may present issues with spider mites, scale insects, and aphids, especially in hot, dry, or poorly ventilated environments. Management includes frequent inspections, mechanical removal, applications of insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils (such as neem oil or mineral oil), and improved air circulation, always avoiding spraying in direct, intense sunlight. The main physiological issue is root rot caused by overwatering, usually preceded by yellowing and dropping leaves. This can be prevented with effective drainage, good sunlight, and careful watering.
The most reliable propagation is by tip or semi-hardwood cuttings, taken with 2–3 nodes (about 1–1.5 inches or 2.5–4 cm), stripped of lower leaves and optionally treated with rooting hormone (IBA). Root cuttings in a very well-draining and sterile potting mix, such as a 1:1 blend of perlite and peat/coconut coir, providing bright indirect light, slightly consistent moisture, and good ventilation until rooted. The best time is late winter into spring, extending through summer in mild climates. Rooting occurs within a few weeks, and transplanting can be done when the roots are established.
Propagation by seed is possible in spring, but fruiting in cultivation is rare due to self-incompatibility, and when it does happen, seed-grown plants typically do not bloom in their first year. Under ideal conditions, Parrot’s Beak grown from cuttings may flower in its first growth cycle, while seed-grown plants usually bloom only in the second year.
