Hedysarum occidentale var. occidentale

Stems decumbent to erect, 1.2–9.5 dm. Leaves 3.5–15 cm; leaf­lets 11–19, blades 5–40 × 3–12 mm, usually 2–4 times longer than wide, not or rarely thick­ened, not especially deciduous. Racemes: axis 4–13 cm in fruit; peduncle (3–)6–15 cm. Flowers: corolla usually lilac- to pink-purple, rarely white, 16–22 mm.

Phenology: Flowering late spring–summer.
Habitat: Sagebrush, aspen, lodgepole pine, spruce-fir, and alpine tundra commu­nities.
Elevation: 900–3400 m.

Distribution

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B.C., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

Discussion

Variety occidentale is apparently more closely allied with Hedysarum sulphurescens than with H. alpinum. However, the three taxa could easily be accommodated within an expanded H. alpinum, which is not proposed herein. Similar sequences of large-flowered phases and dwarf versus tall plants occur in all three taxa, and in each the extremes are connected completely by intermediates.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.