Shrubs or subshrubs, relatively erect, glabrous or pilosulous. Stems 2–7 dm, eglandular or glandular-verruculose distally. Principal leaves 1–4 cm; leaflets 9–19, blades oblanceolate to ellip­tic or obovate, 1–7.7(–9) mm. Peduncles 0–7(–10) cm. Inflorescences spikes, relatively densely flowered, not involucrate, 12–15 mm diam.; axis usually not visible, 0.5–2 cm; bracts deciduous, (2.5–)3–7.5 mm. Calyces somewhat asymmetric, sometimes slightly recessed opposite banner, 5.7–7 mm, densely pilose; tube 2.4–2.8(–3) mm, with 3–6 blister glands between ribs, lobes triangular-aristate, spurred laterally near base, unequal, abaxial longest. Corollas bicolored, banner cream to pale yellow, reddish in age, epistemonous petals rose-pink to -purple or magenta; papilionaceous; banner (4.8–)5–8.2 mm, blade deltate-cordate, (2.4–)2.8–4.6 × 2–5.2 mm; epistemonous petals attached proximal to middle of stamen tube; wings (3.7–)4–6.5 × 1.7–3.3 mm; keel connate valvately, blades (4–)4.4–7(–7.5) × 2.7–4.2 mm. Stamens 10, 7–10.5(–12) mm, filaments distinct to 1.8–3.2 mm, anthers 0.5–0.9 mm. Legumes 2.4–2.9 mm, pilosulous and gland-dotted distally. Seeds 1.6–2 mm. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering spring, fall.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, canyons, oak or pine woodlands, desert grasslands.
Elevation: 900–2100 m.

Distribution

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Ariz., N.Mex., Mexico (Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora).

Discussion

Variety sessilis occurs primarily in the southeastern quarter of Arizona and into southwestern New Mexico. An outlier population occurs in Mohave County in northwestern Arizona.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.