Branched stems have palmately compound leaves and, in racemes at ends of branches, pink or reddish purple flowers (sometimes white). Flowers 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long. Height: 0.5-5 ft (0.2-1.5 m).
Plains and rangeland, foothills of lower mountains.
Eastern Washington to northern California; east on most of the Great Plains; south to central Arizona, central New Mexico, and northern Texas; introduced elsewhere.
The flowers produce copious nectar and attract bees, hence the common name. Indians boiled the strong leaves for food and as a stomachache remedy. In times of drought early Spanish-Americans made tortillas from the barely palatable but nourishing seeds.
