Astragalus monspessulanus, 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 : 122

110. A. monspessulanus L. , Sp. Pl. 761 (1753).

Acaulescent, with branched stock. Leaves (3-)7-20cm; leaflets (7-)10-20 pairs, 5-10 x 1-5-5 mm, suborbicular to oblong, obtuse, sparsely appressed-hairy beneath, glabrous above. Peduncles 1-2 times as long as leaves; racemes ovoid or oblong, with 7-30 flowers; bracts 3-10 mm, linear-lanceolate. Calyx 9-16 mm, the teeth as long as tube. Corolla purplish or red, rarely whitish; standard 20-30 mm, entire to 2-lobed at apex. Legume 25-45 x 3-6 mm, linear, cylindrical, acute, slightly curved (rarely for as much as a semicircle), scarcely rugose, sparsely appressed-hairy, glabrescent. 5. Europe, extending to W. Ukraine. Al Bu Ga G r He Hs It Ju Rm Rs (W) Si?Tu. Both the following subspecies are extremely variable.