Shrubs to 2.5 m. Leaves: stipules (when present) caducous, min­ute; blade discolorous, obovate to elliptic, 5–30 × 2–10 mm, leathery, base cuneate, apex acute or obtuse, surfaces gla­brous, sericeous, or tomentose abaxially, shiny, glabrous, sparsely appressed-pubescent to sericeous or tomentose adaxially. Pedicels 2–3 mm. Flowers: calyx subactinomorphic, 5–7 mm, sparsely appressed-pubescent to tomentose; corolla 10–20 mm, glabrous, petals distinct or keel connate apically; filaments alternately subequal; anthers ellipsoid; style glabrous or with minute ring of hairs proximally; stigma terminal. Legumes light brown, 20–50 × 4–5 mm. Seeds brownish black, 3–4 × 2 mm, sublustrous. 2n = 28.

Distribution

California, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

There is some intergradation between the varieties in contact areas.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Pickeringia montana var. montana, Pickeringia montana var. tomentosa

Key

1	Shrubs glabrous, sericeous, or appressed-pubescent; pinna blades obovate, 3–7 mm wide.	Pickeringia montana var. montana
1	Shrubs tomentose; pinna blades elliptic, 2–10 mm wide.	Pickeringia montana var. tomentosa