Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Meibomia metcalfei
Other common names
Metcalfe's tick trefoil
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Phaseolus angustissimus
Height
1 to 3-1/3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Erect plant with trifoliate leaves and a pink pea-like flower. Somewhat uncommon.
Erect stems distinguish this species from Phaseolus angustissimus, which has twining or trailing stems.
Habitat
Rocky slopes and canyons in grasslands, oak/piñon-juniper woodlands and riparian forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Has a pea-like flower with a banner petal, 2 wing petals and 2 fused keel petals. Has 9 united stamens and 1 single stamen.
Flower color
Pink, blue or purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
August
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are trifoliate. Leaflets 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches long; generally less than 1/2 inch wide; 4 to 5 times longer than wide with the terminal leaflet longest.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Pods somewhat constricted between seeds with 2 to 5 segments per pod, sometimes twisted. Rounded teeth on upper margin, moderately notched below. Surface has fine, stiff, hooked hairs.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Brown
3 to 10 seeds per pod. Seeds are ovoid to rounded in outline; kidney-shaped. Seed surface smooth. Seeds olive, brown or black.