Wild alfalfa
Also known as: many-flower scurf-pea, narrow-leaf scurf-pea
Pediomelum tenuiflorum (Pursh) A. N. Egan
[=Psoralea tenuiflora Pursh ]
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect or ascending, 1 to several, wiry, much-branched, longitudinally ridged, grayish hairy.
- Leaves
- Alternate, short-stalked, palmately compound, stem-leaves 5-foliolate, branch leaves often 3-foliolate; leaflets elliptic to oblanceolate, 1/2 to 2 inches long, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, nearly glabrous above, stiff hairy below; margins entire; tips usually blunt or rounded, abruptly short-pointed.
- Inflorescence
- Racemes, elongate, many-flowered, terminal.
- Flower
- Calyces bell-shaped, 5-lobed, lower lobe slightly longer than 4 upper lobes, conspicuously glandular-dotted; corollas papilionaceous, about 1/4 inch long, light blue to purple, usually in clusters of 2-4, stamens 10, 9 united, 1 free.
- Fruit
- Pods, egg-shaped, smooth, about 1/3 inch long, glandular-dotted; seeds smooth, often shiny, brown.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry sandy or rocky prairies, open woodlands, and roadsides.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Livestock do not particularly like it but will consume its early growth or plants cured in prairie hay.
- Uses
- The Lakota treated headaches with a tea made from the roots and burned the plant to ward off mosquitoes.
Additional Notes
Comments
This native legume resembles alfalfa but has smaller and narrower leaves that grow less densely. Wild alfalfa is fairly drought resistant, with roots going down 10 feet.
Synonyms
Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.
Scientific Name: Psoralea tenuiflora
Full Citation: Psoralea tenuiflora Pursh
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Fabaceae - Bean Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-4 feet
- Last Updated
- 2021-08-27
Color Groups
Flowering Period
Blooms: May, June, July