Description: Perennial herb, 10 - 15 cm (4 - 5.9 in.) high, tufted with woody base. Stems erect and ascending, simple or once branched. Leaves 5 - 12 cm (2 - 4.7 in.) long; leaflets 4 - 7 pairs, 2.5 - 7 mm (to 0.3 in.) long. Inflorescence loosely 2 - 5 flowered. Flowers bilateral (pea-like); sepals
6.3 - 7.5 mm (to 0.3 in.) long; petals reddish purple, turning bluish when drying, 12 - 14 mm (to 0.5 in.) long. Fruit a pod, erect and stipitate, with stipe 1 - 1.5 mm long. Time of flowering: late April to early June.
Habitat: Steep limestone cliffs, ledges, and crevices in canyons and washes. Found in mixed shrub, sagebrush and juniper woodland habitats. Elevations: 1,220 - 1,890 m (4,000 - 6,200 ft).
Range: Endemic to the Desert National Wildlife Range and Nellis Air Force Range in Clark and Lincoln counties, Nevada. Known from the Sheep and Pintwater ranges.
Comments: Distinguished from closely related milkvetches by its short stipe (1.5 mm versus 3 mm) on the pod.