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Braunton's milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus brauntonii
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Braunton's Milkvetch (Astragalus brauntonii)
Astragalus brauntonii, commonly known as Braunton's milkvetch, is a rare and endangered plant species native to California.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Braunton's milkvetch is a member of the Fabaceae family, also known as the pea family. Like many legumes, it has a thick seed coat.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus brauntonii Parish
- Common Name: Braunton's milkvetch (also Braunton's milk-vetch)
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonym: Brachyphragma brauntonii (Parish) Rydb.
Distribution and Habitat
- Astragalus brauntonii is endemic to California.
- It is found in Southern California
- It favors limestone soils and thrives after chaparral fires.
- It grows in closed-cone coniferous forests, chaparral, coastal scrub, and valley and foothill grasslands.
- It is found at elevations between 4 and 640 meters.
Ecological Role
- Braunton's milkvetch is a fire-adapted species native to the coastal shrublands of Southern California.
- Critical habitat for the species consists of approximately 3,300 acres in general.
- It's endangered status is influenced by growing urban centers and fire suppression.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a perennial, winter-deciduous, shrublike plant.
- It has short-lived ascending branches.
- It grows up to 150 cm tall.
- It is a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
- It has light purple flowers.
Conservation Status
- Braunton's milkvetch is classified as endangered both federally and in California.
Further Information
- Dave's Garden
- CalPhotos
- WolframAlpha
- FEIS database (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/ast)