Description
Lesser Rushy Milkvetch is a slender herbaceous perennial with 1-6 erect to spreading stems, rising up to 5 dm high from a branching, underground rootcrown. The compound or simple leaves are 2-11 cm long with 0-5 pairs of thread-like leaflets. Leaflets of the upper leaves are usually lacking, giving them a grass-like appearance. Foliage is sparsely hairy to glabrous in the upper portion. Off-white or yellowish, pea-like flowers are sparsely scattered on stalks which are 2-14 cm long and arise from the axils of the upper leaves. The upper petal of each flower is 7-11 mm long and bent upward. The calyx is 4-6 mm long and sparsely covered with white or black hairs. Pendent, green or purple-mottled fruits are bean-shaped, 13-50 mm long, and 2-4 mm wide.
Diagnostic Characteristics
A. CONVALLARIUS is the only milkvetch in our area with both grass-like leaves and pendent, linear, bean-shaped fruits.