Plant: Shrub, armed with weak spines, ± leafless most of year, ± glabrous; Stem 0.5-1 m; branches from base, grooved, ending in a weak thorn or not, green

Leaves: even-1-pinnate, alternate; stipules minute or 0; leaflets 2-4 pairs, not overlapped, ± opposite, ephemeral, ± sessile, 4-6 mm, asymmetric, oblong; main axis elongating after leaflets fall, weakly spine-tipped

INFLORESCENCE: terminal, raceme-like (flowers 1-2 per axil of upper leaves)

Flowers: generally slightly bilateral, generally showy; sepals ± free; petals free, 8-12 mm, obovate, ± irregular, yellow to salmon-red; stamens free, 7 fertile, 3 sterile, anthers generally > filaments, opening by terminal pores

Fruit: legume, dehiscent, 2.5-4 cm, lanceolate, straight; Seeds few

Misc: Sandy or gravelly washes; 200-1000 m.; Mar-Jul