Plants annual, from somewhat succulent roots. Stems 1-several, initially erect, often becoming prostrate or ascending, usually 1.5-3 dm. Leaves compound; blade with 2 orders of leaflets and lobes; ultimate lobes elliptic, variable in size, margins incised, apex subapiculate. Inflorescences racemose, commonly 6-10-flowered, equaling or barely exceeding leaves, sometimes poorly developed, cleistogamous-flowered racemes present, inconspicuous, 1-5-flowered; bracts elliptic, 6-12 × 3-7 mm, proximal bracts often leaflike or variously incised, distal reduced and entire. Flowers erect; pedicel slender, 6-15 mm or more; sepals lanceolate, ca. 1 mm; petals pale-yellow, spurred petal 7-9 mm, spur incurved, ca. 2 mm, crest high, marginal wing well developed, both crest and wing wrinkled or dentate, unspurred outer petal similar to spurred petal, 6-8 mm; inner petals 5-7 mm, blade apex ca. 2 times wider than distinctly lobed base, claw 2-3 mm; nectariferous spur less than 1/2 length of petal spur; style 1.5-2 mm; stigma wider than long, with 4 terminal papillae. Capsules pendent, linear, straight or sometimes reflexed, (14-) 18-20 (-22) mm. Seeds ca. 2 mm diam., minutely decorated on narrow marginal ring.

Phenology: Flowering early–late spring.
Habitat: Wooded slopes, bottomlands, and rock outcrops, in moist, loose soil
Elevation: 0-650 m

Distribution

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Ont., Ala., Ark., Del., D.C., Fla., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mich., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.