Images
Click on image to view full size
Morphology
- Stem
- Erect or ascending, 1-several from base, ridged longitudinally, simple to inflorescence, branching above, densely covered with minute hooked-hairs.
- Leaves
- Alternate, nearly sessile, 3-foliolate; leaflets linear to linear-oblong, prominently net-veined and short-hairy beneath, minutely hooked-hairy above; terminal leaflet 1.4 to 3.6 inches long, 1/4 to 3/4 inch wide, tip rounded; lateral leaflets 1.2 to 2.4 inches long; stipules lance-tapering, 1/6 to 2/5 inch long.
- Inflorescence
- Raceme-like panicled, terminal; branches long, slender.
- Flower
- On short stalk; calyx 2-lipped, minutely hairy; upper lip entire or notched; lower lip 3-lobed, middle lobe longer; corolla papilionaceous, pinkish, pale lavender or sometimes whitish, fading yellowish-white, 1/5 to 1/4 inch long; stamens 10, 9 united, 1 free.
- Fruit
- Pods, flat, jointed; segments 1-4, rounded above and below, surfaces with minute hooked hairs; seeds 1 per segment, smooth, olive to brown.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Prairie hillsides and ravines, rocky open woodlands, sandy stream valleys, and roadsides; dry soil.
- Distribution
- East 3/4 of Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
From Latin, sessilis "pertaining to sitting" for the leaf blade sitting close to the stem.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Fabaceae - Bean Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 2-4 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-11-23
Color Groups
Pink, Red & Orange Wildflowers
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: July, August, September