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Missouri milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus missouriensis var. missouriensis

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Missi Milkvetch (Astragalus missiensis)

The Missi Milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus missiensis, is a flowering plant belonging to the legume family. It is a native perennial found in central North America. Read on to learn more about this interesting plant!

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that Astragalus missiensis is closely related to locoweed.
  • The text mentions that the plant has "Armament" but does not elaborate on what this refers to.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus missiensis Nutt.
  • Common Names: Missi Milkvetch, Missi Milk-vetch, Milkvetch, Locoweed
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
  • Varieties:
    • Astragalus missiensis var. amphibolus Barneby (Missi milkvetch, Mancos milkvetch)
    • Astragalus missiensis var. humistratus Isely (Missi milkvetch)
    • Astragalus missiensis var. missiensis

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to central North America.
  • Ranges from Canada to Texas in the central United States.
  • Found in Minnesota and Oklahoma (Goodwell and Texhoma).
  • Grows in range/prairie environments.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Growth Habit: Sprawling, perennial.
  • Flowers: Clusters of 3 to 10 pea-shaped flowers, typically purple with white, up to 1 inch long.
  • Leaves: Small, pinnately compound, alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 1 to 5 inches long, 1/4 to 2 inches wide, with 6 to 8 pairs of elliptic leaflets.
  • Stems: Prostrate, few to several, loosely tufted, 1/2 to 6 inches long, hairy.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "missiensis" is derived from the "Missi territory."
  • The lower petal (keel) of the Milkvetch is rounded, while the Locoweed has a pointed keel.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Found in association with yarrow, gumweed, golden aster, prairie rose, and purple loco in the Missi Coteau.

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus missiensis.
  • USDA Forest Service: Technical Conservation Assessments are available online.
  • Lewis and Clark Herbarium/Academy of Natural Sciences.
  • Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains University of Nebraska Press with the Center for Great.
  • UCSU Colorado State University.