Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades in Washington, chiefly in the central part of the state; Washington to California, east to the Great Plains.
Habitat: Alkaline soil at low elevations, often where disturbed.
Flowers: May-July
Origin: Introduced
Growth Duration: Perennial
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Herbaceous perennial from extensive, woody rhizomes, the stems 4-9 dm. tall, arising singly or several together.
Leaves odd-pinnate, leaflets 9-25, elliptic-oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic, 1-2 cm. long, pale, glabrous at least above; stipules linear, 2-7 mm. long.
Inflorescence of axillary racemes, loosely 5- to12-flowered, bracteate, the peduncles about equaling the leaves; calyx bell-shaped, 5-toothed, with 2 basal bracteoles about 1 mm. long; corolla brick red to pinkish-brown, pea-like, banner and wings equal length, 10-15 mm. long; style sparsely hairy on the upper side.
Pod membranous, inflated, 1.5-3 mm. long and 1-1.5 mm. broad, with a stipe as long to twice as long as the calyx.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Sphaerophysa salsula in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database
WA Flora Checklist: Sphaerophysa salsula checklist entry
OregonFlora: Sphaerophysa salsula information
E-Flora BC: Sphaerophysa salsula atlas page
CalPhotos: Sphaerophysa salsula photos