slender rushpea

Hoffmannseggia tenella is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name slender rushpea. It is endemic to Texas, where it is known from only two counties. It persists in small remnants of its gulf coastal prairie habitat. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

This is a small perennial herb growing up to 15 centimeters tall from a woody taproot. It may grow in colonies. The plant has leaves up to 6 centimeters long which are made up of 5 to 7 pairs of leaflets. The flowers have petals about half a centimeter long in shades of yellowish pink, orange, coral, or salmon. The blooming season is in March through June, and more blooming may occur later if there is adequate rainfall. The fruit is a flat, straight legume pod just over a centimeter long.