Angiosperms: Dicotyledons

Fabaceae
Legume Family

• Stem: perennial; 1 1/2’ to 2 1/2’ tall; sometimes branching above the middle; often several stems from the same root crown; hairy.
• Leaves: alternate; pinnately compound, 1” by 3/4”; leaflets very narrow, 3/8” by 1/16”; usually about five leaflets; smooth but with black dots on the lower leaf surface.
• Inflorescence: dense elongate heads on flower stalks from the stem tip and the upper leaf axils; 1” to 1 1/2” long; flowering from bottom to top.
• Flowers: corolla purple (3/16” long) with yellow stamens protruding, calyx 3/32” long, hairy; flowering from early July to early August.
• Fruits: single-seeded pod, developing within the calyx, 1/16” in diameter; fruiting begins in mid-July; fruits remain on the plant into September.
• Habitat: frequent on dry, rocky, and sandy prairies, also on moist prairies and prairie openings in open woods.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Vascular Plants of Iowa