SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 3789.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "3789" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

mourning milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus atratus

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Astragalus atratus: Mning Milkvetch

Astragalus atratus, commonly known as Mning Milkvetch, is a forb/herb belonging to the genus Astragalus. The term forb/herb indicates that it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus atratus S. Watson
  • Common Names: Mning Milkvetch, Fairfield Milkvetch, Henderson's milk vetch, Henderson's milkvetch, Humboldt milk vetch, Humboldt milkvetch
  • Varieties:
    • Astragalus atratus S. Watson var. atratus
    • Astragalus atratus S. Watson var. mensanus M.E. Jones
    • Astragalus atratus var. inseptus
    • Astragalus atratus var. owyheensis

Distribution and Habitat

Astragalus atratus is native to certain regions, as indicated by its listing alongside other native species. Specific habitat details are not provided in the text, but it's presence in areas with Taper-tip Onion, Torrey's mentzelia, cowpie buckwheat, and other specific plants is implied.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The plant is described as generally erect.
  • The lower part of the stem is pretty bare, with many ramifications developing towards the top.

Interactions with Other Organisms

The Brazos Milkvetch (implied to be a similar species but not confirmed) has its leaves eaten by white-tailed deer, and the seeds are occasionally eaten by mning doves.

Related Species

  • Astragalus canadensis (Canada milkvetch, Canadian milkvetch)
  • Astragalus accidens (Rogue River milkvetch)
  • Astragalus alpinus var. brunetianus (Alpine milkvetch)
  • Astragalus beckwithii var. weiserensis (Beckwith's Milk-vetch)
  • Astragalus asymmetricus (San Joaquin milkvetch)
  • Astragalus atropubescens (hangingpod milkvetch)
  • Astragalus allochrous (halfmoon milkvetch, San Joaquin milkvetch)
  • Astragalus ackermanii (Ackerman's Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus acutirostris (sharpkeel milkvetch)
  • Astragalus asotinensis
  • Astragalus bisulcatus var. bisulcatus (stiff milkvetch or Idaho)
  • Astragalus chamaeleuce (cicada milkvetch)
  • Astragalus purshii (Woollypod Milkvetch)

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS database
  • Discover Life: biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution