Astragalus vesicarius, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 123

127. A. vesicarius L. , Sp. Pl. 760 (1753).

Stems up to 25 cm, erect, woody at base, sparsely to densely hairy with appressed, white hairs. Leaves 4-8 cm; leaflets (4—)5—10 pairs, linear- lanceolate to oblong, rarely linear, more or less densely hairy with appressed, white hairs on both surfaces; stipules 2-4 mm, not connate. Peduncles 2-3 times as long as leaves; racemes 2-5 cm, with usually 10-20 flowers; bracts 3-5 mm, lanceolate. Calyx 8-14 mm, with dense, ascending or patent, white and black hairs, the teeth as long as tube, triangular-lanceolate to linear. Standard 17-23 mm. Legume 8-15 x 3-5 mm, equalling (or only beak exceeding) the calyx, oblong, acute, densely hairy with almost patent hairs. S.E. & E. C. Europe, extending from N. W. Greece and Bulgaria to E. Austria and Ukraine; S. W. Alps; N. & C. Italy; S. Spain. Al Au Bu Cz Ga Gr Hs Hu It Ju Rm Rs (?C, W, K).

In need of further study; three subspecies are recognized here, but others probably occur in E. Europe.

1 Flowers concolorous, yellow (c) subsp. pastellianusr I Flowers bicolorous

2 Standard entire at apex; bracts linear (b) subsp. carniolicus 2 Standard emarginate at apex; bracts lanceolate

(a) subsp. vesicarius