Desmanthus cooleyi (Eaton) Trel.
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Authority
Isley, Duane. 1973. Leguminosae of the United States: I. Subfamily. Mimosoideae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 25 (1): 1-152.
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Family
Mimosaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Low bushy herb from a woody crown; stems numerous, ascending (infrequently prostrate), 1.5-5 dm, glabrous or puberulent on angles. Leafstalk puberulent with short petiole, mostly 2-5(-7) mm; gland contiguous to lower pinnae, elliptic to circular, .7-1.2 mm diam; pinnae (2-)3-6 pairs; leaflets 8-15 pairs, elliptic-oblong,2-4 mm, scarcely nerved, glabrate or ciliate. Stipules 1-2.5 mm, subulate to acicular, sometimes deciduous. Heads 1.5-2 cm diam, whitish with yellow anthers, 10-20 flowered; peduncles 1-2.5(-3.5) cm, mostly shorter than leaves, robust in fruit. Corolla 2.5-4 mm; stamens 10. Legume linear, straight to slightly falcate, 4-7 cm long, ca 3-4 mm wide; margins straight or slightly constricted. Seeds oblique to longitudinal in position.
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Discussion
Acuan cooleyi (Eat.) Britt. & Rose CN 2n = 28 (Turner & Beaman, 1953). In Arizona and New Mexico, D. cooleyi is the only herbaceous Desmanthus. In Texas, where it overlaps with other species, it is marked by its comparatively large, usually included flower heads, short stipules and short-petioled leaves.
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Distribution
W Texas to sw Colorado and n Arizona. Adjacent Mexico. Rocky or gravelly soils, high plains to mountain slopes, banks, washes, roadsides and disturbed areas; in w part of range often with juniper; common. 3000-7000 ft. June-Aug. (Sept.) N. Mexico.
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