This is a genus of low legumes with good-sized heads of flowers, rather like a high-quality clover. It is most usually encountered as Anthyllis vulneraria, the kidney vetch, a widespread species in Europe, including Britain.

Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea is the kidney vetch, commonly found in stony (usually limestone) places in Britain and throughout Europe. In the variety coccinea the usual yellow colour of the flowers is replaced by a brilliant red. The plant is low, but its lax stems spread perhaps 30 cm all round, giving a dramatic and long-lasting splash of colour.