Golden Pea (2)

Golden Banner
Thermopsis montana

Family: Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA: Golden Pea, Mountain Goldenbanner, False Lupine
Photo taken on: June 3, 2006
Location: Almont Triangle, CO
Life Zones: Foothills to subalpine
Habitat: Sandy, gravelly meadows

Grows to 3ft tall in colonies with long clusters of flowers and leaves divided into three leaflets. It looks like a yellow lupine. Seed pods grow erect, parallel with the stem.

Golden Pea
Thermopsis rhombifolia var. montana

Family: Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA: Prairie Thermopsis, Golden Bean
Photo taken on: May 5, 2011
Location: FS 289, Jemez Mountains, NM
Life Zones: Foothills and montane
Habitat: Ponderosa pine forests

Grows in clumps to 18" with leaves divided into three leaflets. Large flowers resemble a lupine. Seed pods curve outward, away from the stem.