Sampson's Snakeroot

(Orbexilum pedunculatum)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of "Pieter", Picasaweb

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Sampson's Snakeroot (Orbexilum pedunculatum [Muhl. ex Willd.] Britt.)

Identification: Flowers blue-purple, pealike, arranged in a spike. Spike usually greatly exceeds the height of the leaves. Seedpod round, strongly wrinkled in transverse lines. Stem slightly pubescent. Leaves divided into 3 leaflets. Leaflets narrow, pointed at the apex. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Kansas in the west to Virginia in the east and southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Sampson's Snakeroot is found in open woods and prairies.

Flowering period: May to July.

Similar Species: Sampson's Snakeroot is similar to Sainfoin. However the leaves of Sainfoin are much broader and bulge toward the base. The flower stalks of Sainfoin barely exceed the tops of the leaves.

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