Herbs 20–60(–100) cm, sparsely pubescent. Stems erect, densely branched. Leaves: stipules triangular-lanceolate, margins dentate; leaflet blades ovate to oblong, (10–)20–40(–50) × (5–)10–20(–35) mm, margins denticulate. Peduncles 2–5 cm. Inflorescences 20–30-flowered, globose racemes, slightly elongated in fruit. Flowers 5.5–6.5 mm; calyx lobes nearly equal to tube; corolla blue, pale blue, or white. Legumes erect-spreading, rhomboid-obovate, flattened, 4–5 × 3 mm, with short, abrupt beak 2–3 mm. Seeds 1 or 2(or 3), brownish, ovoid, 2 mm. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering early–late summer.
Habitat: Roadsides, waste areas, fields.
Elevation: 0–1000 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Alta., Man., Sask., Fla., Md., N.Y., Eurasia, introduced also in n Africa.

Discussion

A specimen of Trigonella caerulea from Ontario (in DAO) is a garden escape.

Trigonella caerulea, a cultigen believed to have been derived from T. procumbens, is not thought to have an indigenous range; it is widely grown and naturalized or casual in Europe, present in North Africa, and only occasionally collected as a ruderal in North America.

Trigonella caerulea is a minor culinary herb; the dried, powdered leaves and flowers are used as a condiment in breads, soups, and teas, and especially to flavor cheeses.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.