scurf-pea tenuiflorum Kingdom: Plantae FEATURES Division: Magnoliophyta Scurf-pea is a perennial herb with leaves arranged Class: Magnoliopsida alternately along the stems. The palmately Order: compound leaves each have three to five leaflets. A single leaflet is oval or elliptic and about one-fourth Family: inch in length. The five-petaled, tiny, purple or blue ILLINOIS STATUS flowers each approximately one-eighth inch in length, are borne in long, thin clusters at the stem common, native tips. Flower clusters may be two and one-half inches long. Scurf-pea grows to a height of about three feet.

BEHAVIORS Scurf-pea may be found in the northern two-thirds of Illinois. It grows in prairies. Flowers are produced from June through September. This is an important food source for grazing animals of the prairie.

ILLINOIS RANGE

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © John Hilty

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © John Hilty

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Aquatic Habitats none

Woodland Habitats none

Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; gravel prairie; hill prairie

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.