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Chaco milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus micromerius
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Chaco Milkvetch (Astragalus micromerius)
Astragalus micromerius, commonly known as Chaco milkvetch, is a perennial herb belonging to the genus Astragalus.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is a milkvetch, and some milkvetch species are known as locoweed, especially in the western US.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus micromerius Barneby
- Common Name: Chaco milkvetch
- Family: Fabaceae
- Taxonomic Status: Accepted
- Synonyms: None explicitly mentioned, but other Astragalus species are referenced.
Description
- Type: Subshrub, forb/herb
- Duration: Perennial
- Habit: Stems 5-30 cm long, prostrate, silvery-hairy, bearing densely crowded growth.
Distribution and Habitat
- Found in New Mexico, particularly around Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the South Mesa Trail.
- Also found on the Todilto limestone northeast of Thoreau.
Related Species
- Other milkvetch species mentioned include:
- Astragalus missiensis (Missi milkvetch)
- Astragalus lyallii (Lyall's Milkvetch)
- Astragalus microcymbus
- Astragalus humillimus (Naturita milkvetch, Mancos milkvetch)
- Astragalus calycosus (matted poison milkvetch)
- Astragalus mollisimus (woolly milkvetch)
- Astragalus lentiformis (lens pod milkvetch)
- Astragalus jaegerianus (Lane Mountain milkvetch)
- Astragalus allochrous playanus (Wooton's Milkvetch)
Conservation Status
- Listed as a federal and state species of concern in New Mexico.
- Packard's milkvetch (not Chaco milkvetch) is mentioned as needing protection from off-road vehicle use.
Further Information
- USDA PLANTS database
- Dave's Garden
- New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council (NMRPTC)
- ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System): TSN 25580
- Species.wikimedia.org