Stems usually branched or with spur branches 1 or several nodes preceding first peduncle, sometimes unbranched, robust, slender and almost solid, or stout and hollow, (35–)40–120(–160) cm. Stipules 3–18 mm, proximalmost usually ruptured becoming irregularly circumscissile. Leaves (3.5–)5–25(–35) cm; leaflets (9–)15–35, blades 6–45(–52) mm, apex obtuse, apiculate, or truncate-emar­ginate. Peduncles slender or stout, (2.5–)4–12(–13) cm. Racemes rarely loose, 3–16 × (2–)2.5–3 cm, flowers 11.3–16.3 mm. Pedicels 1.2–2.5 mm. Flowers: calyx (4.6–)5.5–9.6(–10.3) mm, lobes 1.5–5.5 mm; corolla greenish white or dull stramineous. Legumes terete or subterete, carinate by ventral suture, not grooved dorsally, (9–)10–15 × 4–5.2 mm, beak 2–6 mm, usually glabrous, rarely puberulent or strigulose. Seeds (18–)20–26(or 27). 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering May–Sep.
Habitat: Low, moist prairies or meadows, river banks, lakeshores, open deciduous forests, open coniferous forests, sandy soils, sometimes rocky soils, often disturbed areas (post-logging, trails), roadside ditches, on rich soils moist in spring.
Elevation: 0–2200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Loading map...

Alta., B.C., Man., N.W.T., Ont., Que., Sask., Ala., Ark., Colo., D.C., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nebr., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., Wyo.

Discussion

R. C. Barneby (1964) circumscribed var. canadensis rather broadly to include multiracial variation. As reviewed by D. Isely (1998), several regional manuals (such as M. L. Fernald 1950) have recognized var. carolinianus and var. longilobus in the eastern states. The rationale, largely derived by N. C. Fassett (1939b), was extensively counter-argued by Barneby.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.