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Harwood's milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Harwood's Milkvetch (Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii)
Harwood's milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii, is a plant with a fascinating ecological role, particularly in desert environments.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus insularis Kellogg var. harwoodii Munz
- Common Names: Harwood's milkvetch, Harwood's milk vetch, Cedros milkvetch, Salton milkvetch, Walker Pass milk-vetch, Black milk-vetch.
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
- Taxonomic Status: Accepted
- Synonyms/Alternative Names:
- Astragalus harwoodii
- Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii Munz & McBurney ex Munz
Distribution and Habitat
- Found in desert dunes, stony hillsides, and gravelly or sandy flats in open oak woodland.
- Observed at the eastern base of mountain slopes.
- Elevation range: 900–1370 meters.
- Specific locations include the Chuckwalla Desert Wildlife Management Area and the Mojave Desert.
Ecological Role
- Habitat for the Harwood's milkvetch is sometimes considered in environmental impact assessments and mitigation efforts.
- Mentioned in connection with desert tortoise habitat suitability.
- Listed as CNPS List 2, indicating it is a plant of limited distribution in California.
Associations
- Associated with the bighorn sheep and desert tortoise.
- Shares habitat with other rare plants like Harwood's eriastrum.
Resources and Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.
- Encyclopedia of Life.
- ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System).
- California Native Plant Society (CNPS).