Slim-leaf scurf-pea

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Slim-leaf scurf-pea leaf

Slim-leaf scurf-pea inflorescence

Slim-leaf scurf-pea flowers

Slim-leaf scurf-pea leaf

Slim-leaf scurf-pea

Morphology

Stem

Erect, branched above, sparsely strigose or glabrate.

Leaves

Alternate, palmately compound: stipules lanceolate to subulate, .12 to .35 inch; petiole .04 to .2 inch; leaflets usually 3-5, sometimes 1-2 on distal leaves, narrowly oblanceolate to linear, .8 to 2.4 inches long, .04 to .2 inch wide, base acute to cuneate, apex acute, surfaces strigose abaxially, glabrous adaxially.

Inflorescence

Racemes, interrupted proximally but continuous distally with 3-8 whorls, mostly loose, .8 to 3.2 inches long, .4 to .6 inch wide; peduncles .8 to 3.2 inches; bracts ovate to lanceolate, .04 to .08.

Flower

Papilionaceous; pedicels .16 to .4 inch; calyx campanulate, .16 to .24 inch, lobes acute to somewhat rounded; corolla light blue or violet, .3 to .4 inch; banner obovate; wings oblong to oblanceolate, longer than keel petals; keel oblong to oblanceolate, slightly curved upward distally, apex rounded; stamens 10, diadelphous.

Fruit

Legumes (called pods), .24 to .3 inch, enclosed in persistent calyx; seeds 1, dark brown, sometimes mottled, reniform, .2 inch.

Ecology

Habitat

Rocky mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies, rock outcrops

Distribution

West third of Kansas

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.