Stem arising from a long taproot, erect, 6-15 dm, often much-branched, spreading-hairy as well as uncinate-puberulent (as also the infl); stipules ovate, persistent, 6-12 mm; petioles nearly as long as the lateral lfls; lfls thin, ovate or lance-ovate, finely uncinate-puberulent beneath, the terminal lfl 6-12 cm; panicle of several racemes; fls 10 mm, pinkish, becoming green (white), on pedicels 6-14 mm; cal 5 mm; stipe 2-5 mm; articles 4-6, semi-rhomboidal, 7-13 mm. Fields and woods; Mass. to Wis. and Neb., s. to Fla. and Tex.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
Frequent in dry, open habitats throughout the state, although there are no reports from the counties along Lake Michigan. This is our common, large tickclover.