Pediomelum digitatum
(Palmleaf Indian Breadroot)
Pediomelum digitatum, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7942
Pediomelum digitatum, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7950
Pediomelum digitatum, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7947
| Scientific Name | Pediomelum digitatum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PED19 |
| Common Name | Palmleaf Indian Breadroot, Palmleaf Scurfpea | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 504176 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains (3500 to 4800 ft.); sandy or clay soils in open areas in prairies, valleys, hillsides. Plant: Perennial with erect or ascending, pubescent stems 12 to 32 inches tall; branching in upper portions. Leaves: Alternate, palmately-divided leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets that are linear or linear-oblanceolate and 5/8 to 1-5/8 inches long and ~1/4-inch or less wide; leaflet surfaces are gland-dotted, the upper mostly hairless and the lower with appressed hairs; tip rounded or pointed and often with a short spine; petioles are 3/4 to 2-3/4 inches long; lanceolate stipules ~1/4 inch long. Inflorescence: Interrupted, slender spike-like raceme at the ends of long stalks arising from leaf axils; 3 to 11 pea-like flowers are blue, purple, rarely white, fading to yellowish-brown; banner ~1/2 inch across and wings ~1/4 inch long; calyx tube ~1/8 inch long or less with 5 pointed lobes, glandular and silky-hairy. Bloom Period: May to July. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Shinners & Mahler’s Flora of North Central Texas" by Diggs, Lipscomb and O’Kennon and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses. |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains