SafePlants

Astragalus lentiginosus: Spotted Locoweed and Freckled Milkvetch

Astragalus lentiginosus, a member of the legume family, is commonly known as spotted locoweed and freckled milkvetch. It is also sometimes referred to as rattleweed or loco weed.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is referred to as "loco weed," and there's a mention of seed pods and of cattle and horses eating this plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Astragalus lentiginosus Douglas ex Hook.
• Family: Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae or Pea Family)
• Synonyms: A. lentignosus diphysus (Gray.)M.E.Jones.
• Varieties: The text mentions several varieties, including:
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. palans (Freckled Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. albifolius M.E. Jones (northern freckled milkvetch, Owen's Valley milkvetch, northern speckledpod milkvetch)
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. latus (M. E. Jones) M. E. Jones (BROAD-POD FRECKLED MILKVETCH)
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. negundo (Box Elder Freckled Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. idriensis (Freckled milkvetch, New idria milk)
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. nigricalycis
  • Astragalus lentiginosus var. fremontii (Fremont's Milkvetch)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America.
• Found in semi-desert environments, openings, and canyons.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
  • San Joaquin Valley (growing under the shade of oaks and junipers)
  • Mojave Desert (in dry, open areas below 12000 feet)
  • Great Basin National Park, Nevada
  • John Day River area
  • Carrizo Plain, CA
  • Saline Valley, Death Valley National Park, Inyo Co., Calif.
• Occurs in: Canada (British Columbia), Mexico, and the United States (including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa).

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herb growing from a taproot.
• Height ranges from 6.3 inches to 2 feet (1.6 to 6 dm).
• Stems can be prostrate to ascending, hairless or covered in silver hairs.
• Leaves are linear to widely oval, divided into 19 oval leaflets, growing to 5/8 inches in length.
• Seed pods are approximately 1 inch long, hairy, and freckled with red.
• Blooms from April to July.

Ecological Role

• Grows in dry, open areas.

Endangered Status

• Certain subspecies, such as the Coachella Valley Milk-vetch and the Fish Slough Milk-vetch, are listed as endangered in the U.S.

Quirky Facts

• One variety is called the Box Elder Freckled Milkvetch.

Further Information

• USDA Symbol: ASLE8
• Dave's Garden is mentioned as a friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
• Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution.
• Wikimedia Commons contains images.