Relatively small species, producing short, reddish leaf stems (petioles) and pinnately compound leaves.
Short-lived perennial having no visible stem; leaves compound, leaflets narrow to somewhat broadened; short stiff hairs on both sides; flowers purple in many-flowered racemes; pods inflated.
Habitat
Sandy flats, open areas.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers form in racemes of 5 to 10 or more. Petals are usually purple (less often white), the banner having white streaks at the center, while the flower bracts are initially green, becoming red-purple. The banner petal is curved back at about 45 degrees.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves and stems are covered by short hairs that press against the surface. Leaflet margins are often red-purple, while the leaflets are about 1/3 inch long and tend to fold up along the axis. The tips of the leaflets are either flat or shallowly notched.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The common name, halfmoon milkvetch, refers to the shape of the seed pods, which are papery and inflated. They are initially greenish, later red.