Home
Stems mostly several, 3–7 dm; stipules connate opposite the lf-base; lfls 15–21, oblong to elliptic or lanceolate, those of the principal lvs 15–30 × 5–10 mm; racemes secund, 5–10 cm, on peduncles 8–15 cm; fls 12–16 mm, purple, seldom white; keel surpassing the standard and wings; fr with (1)2–5 flat joints each 5–9 × 3.5–6 mm; 2n=14. River-banks, hills, and ledges, in moist soil; Siberia and boreal N. Amer., s. to Me., n. Vt., n. Mich., Man., Wyo., and B.C. June–Aug. Our plants are var. americanum Michx. (H. boreale, misapplied)
A herb. It grows 15 cm high. The roots are long and 2 cm across. They are pale yellow and have an attractive smell. The stems are smooth and tall and branching. The leaves are smooth and green. They have 15-20 leaflets along the stalk. The flowers are pale pink. They occur in large numbers. The fruit is a pod which has 3-4 joints. These are 4-6 mm long.
