Stems clustered on a stout taproot, ± prostrate, to 1(–1.5) dm, much overtopped by the lvs and peduncles; stipules free; lfls 9–17, oblanceolate or elliptic, 5–13 mm, densely canescent with malpighian hairs; peduncles 4–10 cm; racemes 2–4 cm, remaining short, with 5–15 purple fls 15–25 mm, these appearing narrower than in no. 5 [Astragalus lotiflorus Hook.]; cal-tube oblique, 6–10 mm, the subulate lobes much shorter; fr spreading, oblong, 1.5–2.5 cm × 5–9 mm, densely strigose, subterete, sessile; 2n=22. Dry hillsides, bluffs, and prairies; w. Io. and w. Minn. to s. Alta., Tex., and N.M. May, June. Ours is var. missouriensis.
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