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freckled milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus lentiginosus var. oropedii
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Astragalus lentiginosus: Spotted Locoweed and Freckled Milkvetch
Astragalus lentiginosus, commonly known as spotted locoweed and freckled milkvetch, is a fascinating member of the legume family.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is known as "rattle pod," which may be attractive to some animals.
- It is also known as "locoweed," and has been reported to affect cattle and horses.
- The plant produces seed pods that can be up to 1" long and contain seeds.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Astragalus lentiginosus Douglas ex Hook.
- Family: Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae), the Pea Family
- Synonyms: A. lentignosus diphysus (Gray.)M.E.Jones
- Varieties:
- 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 Douglas ex Hooker var. latus (M. E. Jones) M. E. Jones - BROAD-POD FRECKLED MILKVETCH
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. negundo – Box Elder Freckled Milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. fremontii a/k/a Fremont's Milkvetch
Distribution and Habitat
- Astragalus lentiginosus is native to western North America.
- It can be found in dry, open areas, including the Mojave Desert, at elevations below 12,000 feet.
- Specific locations mentioned include the San Joaquin Valley (growing under the shade of oaks and junipers), the John Day River area, Great Basin National Park in Nevada, and the Carrizo Plain in California.
- It has also been found in British Columbia, Canada and Mexico.
- In the United States, it has been reported in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.
- It is also found in semi-desert environments and openings, especially in the spring.
Morphological Characteristics
- Astragalus lentiginosus is a perennial herb that grows from a taproot.
- It typically reaches a height of 6.3 inches to 2 feet (1.6 to 6 dm).
- Stems can be prostrate (lying flat) to ascending (growing upwards).
- Stems can be hairless or coated with silver hairs.
- Leaves are divided into approximately 19 oval leaflets.
- Seed pods can grow up to 1 inch long.
Endangered Status
- The Coachella Valley Milk-vetch and the Fish Slough Milk-vetch, subspecies of the Freckled Milk-vetch, are listed as endangered by the U.S. government.
Habitat and Ecology
- Freckled Milkvetch thrives in dry, open environments.
- It blooms from April to July.
- It grows in areas from sea level to elevations of nearly 12,000 feet.