Gueldenstaedtia verna

Gueldenstaedtia verna is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae.^[1][2]

This sprawling perennial herb was first described in 1775 as Astragalus vernus by Johann Gottlieb Georgi,^[2][3] and has been independently described and named by many different authors.^[2] However in 1953, it received its current name, Gueldenstaedtia verna, in a publication by Antonina Borissova.^[2][4]

It grows from 5-10 cm tall, and has long, thick roots.^[1] The leaves grow from the root and are pinnate, with 4-8 pairs of leaflets, and having a short protrusion at the end.^[1] The petioles are 3-8 cm long, and covered in long brown hairs.^[1] The stipules are ovate and have long, recumbent hairs.^[1] The flower stalk is 4-9 cm long, covered with long brown hairs, is leafless, and has 1-4 flowers in a corymb.^[1] The purple flowers bloom in July and August.^[1] In South Korea, it grows in Gyeongsan, Chilgok, and Daegu in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and is a rare plant.^[1]

It is native in East Asia from Siberia to north Indo-China, Mongolia, China, Korea, and north Pakistan.^[2] In Korea it is found in mountain forests.^[1]

• Gueldenstaedtia verna: Images & occurrence data from GBIF