Hoffmannseggia glauca

Pig-nut
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Hoffmannseggia
Species:	H. glauca
Binomial name
	Hoffmannseggia glauca; (Ortega) Eifert

Hoffmannseggia glauca is a dicot found in the legume family, Fabaceae. Its common names include Indian rushpea, hog potato, and pig nut.

It is a California native which prefers alkaline desert flats, creosote bush communities, and disturbed areas. It prefers elevations of less than 900 metres (3,000 ft). Hoffmannseggia glauca is found outside California in Western Nevada, Texas, Mexico and South America. In California H. glauca may be found in the San Joaquin Valley, Southern Coastal Ranges, and Western Transverse Ranges.

Description

Hoffmannseggia glauca is an erect perennial herb and can measure up to 30 cm tall. Branches are slender, growing out from the base of the plant, and have stalked glands. The foliage is composed of compound leaves with primary and secondary leaflets. Primary leaflets (5-20 mm) are odd-pinnate while secondary leaflets (4-6 mm) are even-pinnate.

The inflorescence measures 5-15 cm and is glandular. Flowers are orange-red with spreading petals and are produced between the months of April and June. The fruit that develops is 1.5-4 cm, glandular, curved, and short-stalked. The fruit may or may not be deciduous.

The USDA indicates that Hoffmannseggia glauca is considered a noxious weed in Kansas.

References