Thermopsis mollis

Herbs delicate, 3–6 dm, sparsely appressed-pubescent. Stems slender, ascending or spreading, solitary or clustered, several-branched, from extensive rhizomes; branches spreading at 45–80º, strongly zigzag. Leaves: stipules caducous, narrowly elliptic to linear, 1.5–2 × 0.3–0.5(–0.8) cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate; petiole 0.7–1.7 cm; leaflet blades elliptic, 3.5–8 × 1–4 cm, lateral veins 7–9 pairs, conspicuously net-veined abaxially, apex acute to acuminate, surfaces sparsely appressed-pubescent (especially on veins), sometimes glabrate adaxially. Peduncles 3–7 cm; bracts persistent, lanceolate, 8–13 × 2–4 mm. Racemes terminal, 5–17-flowered, 7–20 cm; flowers scattered. Pedicels 4–6 mm, villosulous. Flowers 1.6–1.9 cm; calyx 7.5–8 × 6–7 mm at limb, lobes 2–3 mm, shorter than tube; wing petals elliptic to asymmetrically oblong-elliptic, keel petals asymmetrically oblong-elliptic; ovary densely appressed-pubescent; ovules (8–)12–16. Legumes divaricate, arcuate to straight, (3–)4–9 × 0.4–0.6 cm, densely appressed-pubescent. Seeds 6–12, tan to brown-black, oblong, 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm, beaked. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering (Apr–)May–Jun.
Habitat: Rich, sandy, dry woods and ridges.
Elevation: 300–800 m.

Ala., Ga., Ky., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa