Stipules distinct throughout. Flowers 15–24 mm; calyx lobes deltate to lanceolate-subulate, 0.3–4.7 mm; corolla ochro­leucous, keel often faintly to definitely maculate. Legumes broadly oblong to ellipsoid, 20–38(–42) × (9–)10–15(–25) mm, glabrous or puberulent; stipe obconic when present, 0–2.5 mm. 2n = 22, 24.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jul.
Habitat: Clay and silt of the Cretaceous Mancos and Tropic shales, Triassic Moenkopi, and Chinle formations, other seleniferous soils, in salt desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities.
Elevation: 700–2600 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

An extreme phase of var. praelongus is present in Zion Canyon and vicinity, growing tall and with fistu­lous stems.

Variety praelongus is highly toxic but is seldom grazed by healthy animals except during drought. W. E. Fox et al. (1998) reported that plants also contained swainsonine. The Hopi reportedly used the plant, under the name siskinga, in treatment of bladder problems.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.