Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, often clustered, usually simple below inflorescence, branched above, finely hooked-hairy and soft-hairy above.
- Leaves
- Alternate, pinnately 3-foliolate; stalk .8 to 1.2 inches long below to only 1/12 inch above; stipules tapering to points, .2 to .4 inch long, ridged, finely pubescent; leaflets of mid-stem leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.8 to 4.2 inches long; upper surface finely hooked-hairy and appressed soft-hairy; lower surface appressed soft-hairy and paler; margins fringed; tip blunt to short-pointed; base rounded.
- Inflorescence
- Raceme, panicle-like, 8 to 12 inches long, densely flowered, terminal; bracts conspicuous at flowering, lance-ovate, 1/6 to 2/5 inch long, soon dropping.
- Flower
- Papilionaceous, showy, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, red-violet, fading to dark blue; stalks 1/5 to 1/3 inch long; calyx 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, 2-lipped; upper 2 lobes united for most of length; lower 3 lobes separate; stamens 10, 9 united, 1 free.
- Fruit
- Pod, flat, about 1 inch long, densely covered with hooked-hairs; segments 1 to 5, rounded, one side more deeply indented; seeds 1 in each segment, about 1/6 inch long,smooth, brown.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Rocky or sandy prairies, stream valleys, open woods, ravines, spring branches, open thickets, roadsides, waste places; moist soil.
- Distribution
- East 2/3 of Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Livestock will eat young plants. It will disappear under heavy grazing.
Additional Notes
Comments
The seeds are scattered when the hooked hairs on the pods cling to animals passing by.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Fabaceae - Bean Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 2-7 feet
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-24
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: July, August, September