Astragalus phoenix

Plants mound-forming, sub­acaulescent, 2–5 cm, silvery-pilose-tomentose, hairs basi­fixed; from branched caudex, branches obscured by persistent leaf bases. Leaves 1–3.5(–4) cm; stipules 3–11 mm, membranous or papery; leaflets 3–9, blades ovate to obovate or elliptic, (2–)3–7 mm, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces pilose-tomentose, hairs gray or silvery. Peduncles to 1 cm. Racemes 1- or 2-flowered, flowers erect-ascending; axis 0.2–0.5 cm in fruit; bracts 3 mm. Pedicels 2 mm. Flowers 24–25 mm; calyx cylindric, 12.5–15 mm, villous-tomentose, tube 9.5–11 mm, lobes subulate, 3–4 mm; corolla pale lilac, fading ochroleucous, tips purplish; banner only slightly recurved. Legumes ascending (humistrate), strongly curved or lunate, obliquely lanceoloid-ovoid, obcom­pressed, 18 × 10 mm, unilocular, leathery, tomentulose-pilose. Seeds 32.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–May.
Habitat: Calcareous flats and knolls.
Elevation: 600–700 m.

Distribution

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Nev.

Discussion

Astragalus phoenix, a highly local species, is restricted to Ash Meadows, Nye County. R. C. Barneby proposed that it was derived from A. newberryi.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.