Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Cologania longifolia
Other common names
cologania
narrowleaf tick clover
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 feet
Riparian
No
Trailing or can be nearly erect to 4 feet long.
Perennial herb with trailing or nearly erect slender stems and pinnate leaves of 3 to 5 leaflets on long stalks. Reddish-purple flowers are axillary; solitary or in clusters of 2 or 3; a rounded cleft banner rises above the keel portion of the flower.
Habitat
Coniferous forests.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Pea-like and notched. One inch long by 3/4 inch wide on a 1/8 inch long stem. Has erect upper petal to 5/8 inch wide while lower petals curves forward. Occurs as a single flower or 2 to 3 in leaf axils.
Flower color
Reddish-purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Pinnate with 6 inch long stem. Usually 3 leaflets but sometimes 5. Leaflets are very narrow to 2-1/2 inches long, variable and often folded in half along its length. Hairy on the margins and beneath leaflet.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Pod is flat and smooth.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green
Seeds are brown and round.