# Slimflower Scurfpea (*pediomelum tenuiflorum*)

The Slimflower Scurfpea is an elegant, multi-branched perennial herb native to the vast grasslands of North America's Great Plains. Belonging to the legume family, this plant is characterized by its slender, airy structure and tough, wiry stems. Although it looks delicate, it is a remarkably hardy survivor, perfectly adapted to withstand the scorching heat, drought, and high winds of the open prairie. Its deep taproot anchors it firmly in sandy or rocky soils where other plants might wither.

Historically, this species played an important role in the prairie ecosystem and was utilized by various Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes and food. Today, it remains a vital component of native grasslands, providing food for specialized insects and stabilizing soil with its deep root system. Its unassuming beauty and ecological resilience make it a beloved find for prairie enthusiasts and botanists alike.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Found in undisturbed prairies, open grasslands, sandy hillsides, and rocky upland woods.

![Slimflower Scurfpea](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/123056953/medium.jpg)

Photo: Brand R, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/123056953)

## Appearance

Slimflower Scurfpea grows as a highly branched, bushy herb standing between 30 and 100 centimeters tall. It features slender, grayish-green stems that are covered in fine, pressed hairs and dotted with tiny, dark, translucent glands. The leaves are palmately compound, typically split into three to five narrow, linear leaflets. From May to September, it produces loose, elongated clusters of very small, pea-like flowers, which are light blue to pale purple and measure only about 5 millimeters in length.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Pediomelum

## Interesting facts

- Indigenous tribes such as the Lakota historically used the tough, stringy roots of this plant to construct strong, rustic cordage.
- The plant's scientific name 'tenuiflorum' translates directly to 'thin-flowered', referring to its exceptionally delicate, sparse blossoms.
- The tiny glands dotted over its leaves look like black or brown pepper spots under a magnifying glass and release a faint, herbaceous aroma when bruised.

## Special abilities

- **Drought-Resistant Taproot:** Develops a deep, sturdy taproot that penetrates far into the dry prairie soil to access deep-water reserves.
- **Tumble Dispersal:** In late autumn, the dry stem cleanly snaps at ground level, letting the wind roll the plant like a tumbleweed to scatter its seeds across the landscape.
- **Glandular Defense:** Features hundreds of tiny, resinous glands on its leaves and stems that secrete oils to deter herbivores and reduce water loss.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 30-100 cm
- **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg
- **Lifespan:** 3-10 years

## Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.

- **Primary Foods:** Sunlight, Carbon dioxide, Water, Soil minerals

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Clouded Sulphur](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clouded-sulphur) (*Colias philodice*) — The caterpillars of this butterfly species feed on the leaves of the slimflower scurfpea.
- **Mutualism:** American Bumblebee (*Bombus pensylvanicus*) — An important native pollinator that visits the tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Slimflower Scurfpea?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Slimflower Scurfpea?

30-100 cm

### How much does Slimflower Scurfpea weigh?

0.05-0.2 kg

### How long does Slimflower Scurfpea live?

3-10 years

### What does Slimflower Scurfpea eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients.

### Where is Slimflower Scurfpea usually found?

Found in undisturbed prairies, open grasslands, sandy hillsides, and rocky upland woods.

## Where to spot

- [Darlington Agency](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/darlington-agency) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Slimflower Scurfpea: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/slimflower-scurfpea)