Astragalus kentrophyta var. ungulatus
Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, 5: 650. 1895.
Plants prostrate, mat- or cushion-forming, 8–20 cm wide. Stems and herbage strigulose, hairs malpighian. Leaves 0.5–1.3 cm; stipules dimorphic, those at proximal nodes connate, those at distal nodes free and ± spine-tipped, 1.5–4 mm; leaflets (3 or)5, blades 3–9 mm. Peduncles 0.1–0.4 cm. Flowers 5.2–6.5 mm; calyx 3.6–4.7 mm, tube 1.8–2.1 mm, lobes subulate, spinulose, 1.8–2.6 mm; corolla whitish, keel tip purplish. Legumes obliquely lanceoloid-acuminate, 5–7.5 × 1.6–2 mm. Seeds 2 or 3(or 4). 2n = 24.
Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Calcareous gravel or gravelly clay knolls and hillsides with sagebrush.
Elevation: 1500–2200(–3000) m.
Discussion
Variety ungulatus contributes to the peculiar pseudo-alpine, mound- and cushion-forming vegetation on the knolls and valley floors and foothills in the high valleys of central and northeastern Nevada and Mono County, California.
Selected References
None.