Hedysarum alpinum

American Hedysarum

Mature Flower Side

Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park
18-July-2008

Note the unequal calyx teeth and the large, truncate keel.  The wing petals are somewhat withered at this stage of the flower's development.

Note the stamens are divided into two groups.  The first group contains nine stamens whose filaments are fused together (connate).  The second group contains a single stamen whose filament is distinct from the others.  Such diadelphous stamens are common in the Leguminosae.

Alpinum: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF)  and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus. 
leaflets conspicuously veined; NOT [leaflets with obscure veins]
calyx teeth shorter than the calyx tube; NOT [calyx teeth about as long as the calyx tube]
calyx teeth very unequal; NOT [calyx teeth almost equal]
upper calyx teeth nearly triangular; NOT [calyx teeth linear or linear-subulate]
flowers violet, pale pink, or reddish purple; NOT [flowers sulphur yellow]
segments of loment 3.5-5 mm broad; NOT [segments of loment 6-8 mm broad]
segments of loment narrowly wing-margined; NOT [segments of loment conspicuously wing-margined]

 

Hedysarum: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF)  and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus. 
herbs; NOT [shrubs]
plants NOT climbing
leaves pinnately divided; NOT [leaves palmately divided]
the terminal leaflet normal; NOT [the terminal leaflet replaced by a tendril]
inflorescence a raceme; NOT [inflorescence a loose, few-flowered, umbel-like head]
keel truncate; NOT [keel acute]
pods segmented or jointed, breaking up at maturity; NOT [pods not segmented or jointed]

 

Leguminosae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family.
herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]
plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]
plants NOT with colored milky juice
plants with more than one normal leaf
some or all leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite, whorled, or basal]
leaves with stipules; NOT [leaves without stipules, or having glands]
flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others]
calyx regular; NOT [calyx irregular, some sepals smaller than others]
flowers irregular in shape; NOT [flowers regular in shape]
corolla pea-like; NOT [corolla with one petal spurred or sac-like]
stamens usually separate or partly so, not in column; NOT [stamens united into a column]
fruit a legume; NOT [fruit a 3-valved capsule]