Herbs or subshrubs, usually multistemmed, 0.2–1.2 dm. Stems decumbent to erect, densely pubescent, hairs spread­ing. Leaves subsessile; blade elliptic or obovate, 6–20 (–26) × 3–10 (–12) mm, base cuneate, apex acute or obtuse, surfaces pubescent, hairs spreading. Racemes terminal, sometimes leaf-opposed, 1–3.5 × 1.5–2.8 cm; rachis weakly thorn-tipped (often not clearly visible when young); peduncle 0–0.5 cm; bracts semipersistent, lanceolate to linear. Pedicels 3–7 (–8.6) mm, pubescent. Flowers pink-and-white, sepals pink or brownish pink, margins white, keel beak yellow to yellow-green, (7.5–) 8.5–13 (–14) mm; sepals persistent, elliptic or ovate, (3–) 3.5–6 (–7) mm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; wings narrowly elliptic to obovate, (7.2–) 8–11.5 (–12.3) ×3.2–5.6 mm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; keel (6.5–) 7.2–10.7 mm, sac spreading-pubescent in distal 1/2, sometimes also proximally, beak oblong, (1.6–) 1.9–3.2 × (0.5–) 0.7–1 mm, pubescent. Capsules ellipsoid, 4.8–8.5 × 4–5.7 mm, base obtuse or rounded, margins with very narrow wing, sparsely pubescent. Seeds 3.5–4.8 mm, pubescent; aril 0.8–2.6 mm, lobes 0–1/2 length of seed. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering spring–mid summer.
Habitat: Calcareous or gypseous soil in open pinyon-juniper woodlands or transition to desert scrub.
Elevation: 900–1800 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz.

Discussion

Rhinotropis rusbyi occurs in Coconino, Maricopa, Mohave, and Yavapai counties.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.