| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual to tree
Leaves generally compound, alternate, stipuled; leaflets generally entire
Inflorescence: generally raceme, spike, umbel or head; flowers sometime 1–2 in axils
Flowers generally bisexual, generally bilateral; hypanthium generally flat or cup-like; sepals generally 5, fused; petals generally 5, free, or the 2 lower ± fused; stamens 1–many, often 10 with 9 filaments at least partly fused, 1 (uppermost) free; pistil 1, ovary superior, generally 1-chambered, ovules 1–many, style, stigma 1
Fruit: legume, sometimes including a stalk-like base above receptacle, dehiscent, or indehiscent and breaking into 1-seeded segments, or indehiscent, 1-seeded, and achene-like
Seeds 1–several, often ± reniform, generally hard, smooth
Genera in family: ± 650 genera, 18,000 species: worldwide; with grasses, requisite in agriculture and most natural ecosystems. Many cultivated, most importantly Arachis , peanut; Glycine , soybean; Phaseolus , beans; Medicago ; Trifolium ; and many orns
Reference: [Polhill & Raven (eds) 1981 Advances in legume systematics; Allen & Allen 1981 Leguminosae]
Family description and key to genera by Duane Isely.
Tree, shrub; branches with pointed tips; thorns in leaf axils (see leaf scars)
Leaves even-2-pinnate, alternate, falling early; 1° leaflets generally 1 pair
Inflorescence: raceme, axillary, < 7-flowered
Flower slightly bilateral; sepals ± free, all alike, reflexed; petals ± equal, clawed, yellow or cream-white; stamens 10, exserted, free
Fruit dehiscent or not, flat, narrowed between seeds or not
Species in genus: 4 species: deserts, se CA; AZ, nw Mex
Etymology: (Greek: weaver's shuttle, from fruit)
Reference: [Carter 1974 Proc Calif Acad Sci 40(2):17–57]
| Native |
Shrub, small tree 3–4(9) m; branches generally ascending or spreading, broom-like, hairy
Leaf yellow-green; 1° leaflets 1 pair, 3–6.5 cm
Flower: banner < 10 mm, widely ovate, generally cream-white
Fruit < 11 cm; tip beak-like, generally ending in a spine
Ecology: Uncommon. Rock slopes
Elevation: ± 600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Mojave Desert
Distribution outside California: to Arizona, nw Mexico
Flowering time: Apr–May
Branches used as livestock feed; seeds edible.Hybrids with C. floridum reported. Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 &IRR: 11, 12, 13; also STBL.