Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Alberta and Rocky Mountains.

Habitat: Sagebrush deserts to forest openings at moderate elevations.

Flowers: May-August

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bumblebees, bees, flies, butterflies, beetles, wasps

Perennial from a branching crown with several stems 2-5 dm. tall, usually simple or sparingly branched above, silvery to somewhat rust-colored from the pubescence, which is of two distinct lengths.

Leaves at flowering almost entirely cauline, the petioles of the lower leaves 3 times as long as the blade, reduced upward to equal to the blade; leaflets 7-9, oblanceolate, 3-6 cm. long and 3-6 mm. wide, silky on both surfaces.

Inflorescence of loose racemes, 10-15 cm. long, several times as long as the peduncles; pedicles 4-7 mm. long; flowers scattered to nearly verticillate, 10-12 mm. long, mostly lavender or blue, sometimes yellowish or whitish; calyx silky, deeply two-lipped; banner well reflexed from the keel, mostly silky on the back, usually whitish-centered; wings glabrous; keel with marginal hairs, the tip upturned.

Pods silky, 2-3 cm. long and nearly 1 cm. broad.