Astragalus allochrous  Halfmoon Loco
PERENNIAL.  Semi-erect, straggling branches have long bluish green pinnate leaves, narrow purple flowers, and inflated pods that are slightly fuzzy.  Pale green pods are 2-3 cm long.  They may have a faint reddish tinge but are not noticeably bicolored or patterned.  They dry to pale tan and remain inflated even when the seeds rattle inside.  Seeds are very small for the size of the pod (less than .5 cm).  Blooms in April-May.  Rare in the Empires on the upper end of Davidson Canyon and its large tributaries, in semi-shade under trees.
FAMILY:  Fabaceae (Pea Family)