Hoffmannseggia glauca is a perennial herbaceous plant in the pea family that grows from 4-12 in. (10-30 cm) tall. The stems branch from the base of the plant and there are small swellings on the roots. H. glauca is native to the central and western United States, Mexico and western and southern South America.
Foliage
The alternate leaves are pinnately compound and usually prostrate. The undersides of the leaflets are sparsely pilose.
Flowers
The yellow bilateral flowers are dotted with red glands. The flowers are held on ascending racemes. H. glauca flowers in Spring and Summer.
Fruit
The fruits are curved legumes that contain several smooth hard seeds.
Ecological Threat
H. glauca can be weedy and can grow in bare disturbed soils along roadsides. The tuberous roots allow it to form large colonies.