Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Other common names
Lambert crazyweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
6 to 12 inches
Riparian
No
A plant consisting of basal leaves and several showy erect inflorescences. The leaf is compound with several silvery-green leaflets.
Showy perennials; herbage green to white, silky-haired with at least some of the hairs axe-like; leaves pinnate, basal; leaflets 7 to 19, narrow, silvery on both sides. Purple flowers are borne in spike-like flower heads; heads many-flowered.
Habitat
Found on sandy soils in open places, pine forests and disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
A tufted plant, usually covered with silvery hairs, with dense racemes of bright reddish-lavender pea flowers held just above the basal leaves by long stalks.
Flower color
Purplish-pink
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal, odd-pinnately compound, 4 to 7 inches long; 7 to 19 leaflets, linear to narrowly oblong, 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, less than 1-1/2 inches wide, silvery-white with minute axe-shaped hairs; tips pointed. Stemless.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Cylindric, 1/3 to 1 inch long, densely covered with silky hairs.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Brown
Seeds are smooth and brown.