Herbs 3–8 dm; with ligneous, often tuberous, taproot or slender rhizome. Stems sparsely strigose or glabrous. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; stipules lanceolate to linear, 3–7 mm; petiole 2–30 mm; leaflet blades lanceolate to elliptic, 20–70 × 6–12 mm, surfaces glandular-punctate, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Peduncles 3–12 cm. Inflorescences columnar, 1–8 cm; bracts ovate, 5–8 × 2–4 mm, glandular-punctate. Flowers 4–7 mm; calyx 2–5 mm, glandular-punctate, hirsute; corolla violet to purple, banner ovate. Legumes 4–6 × 3–4 mm, glandular-punctate, rugose. Seeds round-obovate, 3–3.5 mm. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Along railroads and roadways, sandy pine-flats.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C., Va.

Discussion

Nomenclature of this species is complex, since it has been applied in many ways by various authors (M. A. Vincent 2014). Nomenclatural stability has been intro­duced by neotypification of Trifolium psoralioides with a specimen from the coastal plain area, and tying the name to plants with glandular-punctate bracts, calyces, and fruits. B. L. Turner (2008b) confused application of the two epithets gracile and pedunculatum, essentially reversing the glandularity of bracts, calyces, and fruits.

Psoralea melilotoides Michaux, which pertains here, is a superfluous name since Trifolium psoralioides Walter was cited as a synonym. Orbexilum gracile (Torrey & A. Gray) B. L. Turner, which also pertains here, is invalid; it is an isonym of the combination by Rydberg.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.