Astragalus lentiginosus var. nigricalycis
Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, 5: 674. 1895.
Plants perennial, 25–55 cm. Stems decumbent to ascending. Leaves (4–)6–16 cm; leaflets 19–25, blades oblong-oblanceolate to broadly obovate or rhombic-obovate, (3–)7–25 mm, apex usually retuse. Peduncles 4–11 cm. Racemes closely becoming loosely (10–)15–32-flowered, lax and open in fruit; axis (2.5–)4.5–11(–13) cm in fruit. Flowers 12–17(–18.5) mm; calyx 6.4–8.2 mm, tube 4.7–6.2 mm, lobes 1.4–2.5 mm; corolla creamy yellow or greenish yellow to greenish white (immaculate), yellow when dry, petals well-graduated, banner longer than wings, wings well exceeding keel. Legumes mottled, obliquely ovoid-acuminate, greatly inflated, (17–)20–35 × 10–20 mm, bilocular, papery, villosulous; beak 4–8 mm, unilocular.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–May (or fall).
Habitat: Rolling hills, plains, gravelly banks, roadcuts.
Elevation: 90–800(–1300) m.
Distribution
Calif.
Discussion
Variety nigricalycis is known from the inner South Coast Ranges and foothills at the southern end of the Central Valley from San Benito and Fresno to Kern and Ventura counties.
The yellowish corollas with blackish calyces and the large, inflated but firm fruits distinguish var. nigricalycis in its region. In Kern County, it intergrades somewhat with var. variabilis.
Selected References
None.