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Beckwith's milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus beckwithii var. sulcatus

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Beckwith's Milkvetch (Astragalus beckwithii)

Beckwith's Milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus beckwithii, is a perennial forb belonging to the pea family. It is also known by the common name "Beckwiths milkvetch."

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus beckwithii Torr. &amp A. Gray
  • Common Name: Beckwith's Milkvetch, Beckwiths milkvetch, Weiser milk-vetch.
  • Family (Scientific): Fabaceae (Pea family)
  • Genus: Astragalus
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Subspecies: Several varieties are mentioned, including:
    • Astragalus beckwithii var. beckwithii
    • Astragalus beckwithii var. purpureus M.E. Jones
    • Astragalus beckwithii var. sulcatus
    • Astragalus beckwithii var. weiserensis
    • Astragalus beckwithii var. cottonii
  • Synonyms: Mentions Astragalus sulcatus, Astragalus bisulcatus, Astragalus bodinii, and Astragalus bgovii as other Astragalus species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Beckwith's Milkvetch is described as a low-growing perennial forb.
  • It has compound leaves that are described as glabrous (smooth).
  • The flowers are purple and shaped like "pea flowers" (bilaterally symmetrical).

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Astragalus genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Specific mentions of its presence include Ada County, Idaho and Salt Lake County, Utah.

Related Species

  • Mentioned as related to Webber's milkvetch (A. webberi) and Ertter's milkvetch.

Further Information

  • Discover Life has a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus beckwithii.
  • The USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database is another source of information.