Hedysarum boreale var. boreale Family: Fabaceae (A Utah Flora - Leguminosae) – Pea Family Perennial herbs; 6.8” to 2.3' (17 to 70 cm) tall Leaves: alternate; compound; has hairs; 5 to 15 leaflets 0.28” to 1.4” (7 to 35 mm) long, 0.08” to 0.76” (2 to 19 mm) wide; leaves 1.2” to 4.8” (3 to 12 cm) long Flowers: 5 petals (a banner, 2 wings and 2 keels); keel much longer than the wings; 5 toothed sepals; 10 stamens; 1 pistil; bisexual; pink, purple, or less commonly white; flowers 0.4” to 0.76” (10 to 19 mm) long Pollinators: insects Fruits: legume Blooms in Arches National Park: April, May Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: park road near junction with Delicate Arch road, Willow Springs wash Other: The genus name, “Hedysarum”, is the Ancient Greek name for the common European “Asarum" (ginger). Linnaeus named this genus in 1753. The species name, “boreale”, is Greek for “northern”. This family is ranked second to grasses in importance to people because species can fix nitrogen. However, some species, e.g., locoweeds and milkvetches, are poisonous due to selenium abstracted from the soil. |
Last updated: December 11, 2022