Native Plants
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Thermopsis montana
Thermopsis montana Nutt.
Mountain Goldenbanner, Montane Golden-banner, Golden Pea, Buckbean
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: THMO6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This perennial’s slender, 16-32 in. stems, purplish with a white coating, are slightly branched above and bear three-parted leaves. Yellow, lupine-like flowers occur in dense to interrupted clusters 4-12 in. long. Flowers are followed by velvety pods. A number of varieties are separated largely on the amount of pubescence present on the foliage. A plant with one or several hollow stems, slightly or not at all hairy, and yellow "pea flowers" in long racemes in upper leaf axils.
This genus resembles the Lupines, but Thermopsis has only 3 leaflets on each leaf; Lupinus has more. Yellow Peas, while handsome plants, are suspected of being poisonous. Among the several western species, some quite hairy, Prairie Thermopsis (T. rhombifolia), which grows on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and on the northwestern plains, has pods that spread outward from the curve or coil.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 32 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYNative Distribution: B.C. to n. CA, e. to the Rockies of MT & CO
Native Habitat: Well-drained, stony or sandy flats
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Dry to wet, rocky or sandy soils.
Propagation
Description: This plant is best propagated by seeds.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Thermopsis montana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Thermopsis montana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Thermopsis montana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2010-05-01Research By: TWC Staff