Hoita orbicularis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Genus: | Hoita |
Species: | H. orbicularis |
Binomial name | |
Hoita orbicularis (Lindl.) Rydb. |
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Synonyms | |
Psoralea orbicularis |
Psoralea orbicularis
Hoita orbicularis is a species of legume known by the common name roundleaf leather-root. It is endemic to California, where it is relatively widespread throughout the state's mountain ranges, growing most often in moist habitat. It is a perennial herb growing prostrate or nearly so at ground level with large leaves each made up of three round leaflets up to 11 centimetres (4 1⁄4 in) long each. The herbage is glandular and often hairy. The inflorescence is an erect raceme which may be up to 35 centimetres (13 2⁄3 in) long. Each of the many flowers is one or two centimeters long, pealike, and generally a shade of light to medium purple in color. The fruit is a hairy, veiny legume pod just under 1 centimetre (1⁄2 in) long.