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Columbian milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus columbianus
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: WA (Columbia milk-vetch)
Astragalus columbianus - Columbian Milkvetch
Astragalus columbianus, commonly known as Columbian Milkvetch or Columbia Milk-vetch, is a species within the large Astragalus genus, also known as milkvetch, astragales, or locoweed.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus columbianus Barneby
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Primarily found in the Columbia River region of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
- Specifically, it is restricted to central Washington, along the western edge of the Columbia Basin.
- Also found south of Richter Pass, close to the USA border, in British Columbia.
- It thrives in arid, shrub-steppe habitats.
- Endemic to the Columbia Plateau of northern Oregon.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Described as a spreading perennial with lax stems.
- The plant is covered with very short, weak hairs.
- Stems lie out from an erect central stem.
Ecology
- Seasonal grazing by cattle on rangelands has been observed.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- It is known to be utilized by grazing livestock, however there is a "dearth of knowledge" on the selection and utilization by grazing livestock.
Further Information
- Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus columbianus.
- Washington Natural Heritage Program lists it as a Candidate Threatened species.