SafePlants

Cotton's Milkvetch (Astragalus cottonii)

Cotton's Milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus cottonii, is a forb/herb belonging to the genus Astragalus.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces reddish pods.
• It produces seedpods covered with thick white hairs, resembling balls of cotton.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Astragalus cottonii M.E. Jones
• Common Name: Cotton's Milkvetch, Cotton's milkvetch
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Family: Fabaceae (Bean Family)
• Synonyms:
  • Astragalus australis var. cottonii (M.E. Jones) Welsh
  • Astragalus australis var. olympius Isely
• Taxonomic Rank: Variety (var. olympicus)
• Astragalus cattani M.E. Jones
• Astragalus alympicus Cotton

Distribution and Habitat

• Cotton's Milkvetch species are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• The rare variety var. olympicus is endemic to the Olympic Mountains of Washington in the United States.
• It grows in dry plains or slopes with juniper or sagebrush at mid to high elevations.
• Plants are also found, but are rare to uncommon, on Vancouver Island.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
• Some species of Astragalus have a reclining, spreading growth habit.
• Seedpods are straight or curved, covered with thick white hairs and looking like balls of cotton.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Weevil larvae have been found in the fruits of Cotton's Milkvetch.
• Seventy-six species of arthropods were observed in cotton-prairie milk vetch (Astragalus adsurgens) intercrop field.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Dave's Garden