North America species range map for Spreadfruit Goldenbanner, Thermopsis divaricarpa:
Click image for full size map.
U.S. Weed Information: Unknown
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: Unknown
Threatened/Endangered Information: Unknown
U.S. Wetland Indicator: In North America Thermopsis divaricarpa has the following wetland designations:
Arid West, FAC
Great Plains, FAC;
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast, FAC;
FAC = Facultative, occur in wetlands and non-wetlands
Genus Information: In North America, USDA Plants Database lists 10 species for Thermopsis divaricarpa. Worldwide, World Flora Online includes 71 accepted species names and a further 40 scientific names of infraspecific rank for the genus.
The genus Thermopsis was published in 1811 by Robert Brown, (1773-1858).
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona and Utah each have 2 species of genus, California has 4 species, Nevada and Texas have 0 species, New Mexico has 3 species and Texas has species. Data approximate, subject to revision.
Comments: This species is difficult to distinguish to from Thermopsis montana. The photos of the plants in the photos above were taken of plants on Aztec Peak, Tonto National Forest, Maricopa County, Arizona. The plants were emerging quickly on the east side of a mountain following a major forest fire.
Plants of the genus Thermopsis are herbaceousperennials known collectively as Goldenbanners.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Spreadfruit Goldenbanner, Thermopsis divaricarpa has attractive pea-like flowers, the flowers and their seeds may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of nectar or food.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects
Spreadfruit Goldenbanner, Thermopsis divaricarpa has attractive pea-like flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, Native Bees and other insects in search of food and nectar.
Etymology:
The genus “Thermopsis” (Thermop'sis:) is from the Greek thermos for lupine and opsis, "like," bearing yellow lupine-like flower heads.
The genus Thermopsis was published in 1811 by Robert Brown, (1773-1858).
The species epithet “divaricarpa” (divaricar'pa:) is from the Latin divarico, "to spread apart," and carpa, "fruit."
The taxon “Thermopsis divaricarpa” was described in 1898 by Aven Nelson, (1859-1952).
Ethnobotany - Native American Ethnobotany; University of Michigan - Dearborn
