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timber milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus miser

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Timber Milkvetch (Astragalus miser)

Timber Milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus miser, is a plant belonging to the Astragalus genus. It is also referred to as Timber Milk Vetch, Milkvetch or Locoweed.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is poisonous to cattle and occasionally sheep. Experimental poisoning has been caused in other livestock.
  • Honey bees that forage on the flowers of timber milk-vetch have also been poisoned.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus miser
  • Common Names: Timber Milkvetch, Timber Milk Vetch, Milkvetch, Locoweed
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Astragalus miser Douglas ex Hook. var. miser
    • Astragalus miser var. serotinus
    • Astragalus decumbens var. serotinus
    • Astragalus serotinus
  • Subspecies: Astragalus miser var. crispatus

Distribution and Habitat

Timber Milkvetch is found in:

  • Canada: Alberta, British Columbia
  • United States: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa

Morphological Characteristics

Timber milkvetch is a member of the Pea family and has the characteristic pea flower and pod.

Ecological Role

  • Relating germination requirements of timber milkvetch to seral stage in the Interior Douglas-fir zone.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Honey bees that forage on the flowers of timber milk-vetch have also been poisoned.

Quirky Facts

  • As little as five pounds of the plant can produce signs of poisoning in cattle.

Further Information

  • USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
  • ResearchGate, the professional network for scientists.
  • The Plant List
  • ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
  • BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
  • WikiSpecies
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life