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Moab milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus coltonii var. moabensis
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Moab Milkvetch (Astragalus coltonii var. moabensis)
Astragalus coltonii var. moabensis, commonly known as Moab milkvetch, is a perennial forb/herb native to specific regions of the United States.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus coltonii var. moabensis M.E. Jones
- Common Name: Moab milkvetch, Colton's milkvetch
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
- Taxonomic Rank: Variety
- Synonyms: Astragalus coltonii var. foliosus.
Distribution and Habitat
- Moab milkvetch is found between Cisco and Moab in the Utah desert.
- Specific locations include the Smokey Hills layer of the Mancos Shale Formation on Ute Mountain.
- It thrives in barren soil within canyonlands.
Morphological Characteristics
- Moab milkvetch is a perennial plant.
- It is noted for its beautiful and delicate appearance, yet is described as "tough as nails".
Traditional Uses
- The Zuni people traditionally used a related species (Crescent Milkvetch) as a snake bite remedy.
Quirky Facts
- The common name "milkvetch" comes from the belief that goats fed a diet of Astragalus cicer, an Old World species, produce more milk.
- It was named for W. F. Colton of Moab, Utah.
Further Information
- USDA PLANTS database contains information on Astragalus coltonii var. moabensis.
- WildflowersWest offers more information on Crescent Milkvetch (related species).