Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Other common names
spinytooth clover
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Plants are self-supporting growth forms (other plants not needed for support of stems) with compound, broad leaves and 2 to 3 leaflets.
Perennial, rhizomatous; stems, erect or ascending, arch; leaves alternate, 2 to 3 leaflets; flower clusters head-like; petals narrow at base, white, pinkish to pinkish-purple, banner petal and wing petals narrow to rounded, wings ear-like.
Habitat
Found in desert brush, rocky areas, forest meadows, and wetlands.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
500
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Round flower head surrounded by 5-lobed sepal whorl; clawed (narrowed at base) petals; narrow to rounded upper banner and wing petals; wing and keel tips rounded, not pointed; 9 to 10 united stamens.
Flower color
White, pinkish to pinkish-purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems hairless; leaflike appendages at base of stalk; compound, hairless, alternate leaves, triangular to lance-like, divided into 2 or 3 folds; 3 toothed leaflets.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Single chamber, oblong, 2-seeded.
Fruit type
Pod
Seeds heart-shaped, notched at one end, smooth surface, olive, brown, or black.