SafePlants

Astragalus racemosus - Cream Milkvetch

Discover the fascinating Cream Milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus racemosus, a plant with a variety of interesting characteristics and uses.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the common name "alkali poisonvetch," which may be a cause for concern and warrants further research.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Astragalus racemosus Pursh
• Common Name: Cream Milkvetch (also Cream Milk Vetch, Creamy Milk Vetch, Racemose Milk Vetch, Alkali Poisonvetch, Alkali Milk Vetch)
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety (Astragalus racemosus var. longisetus M.E. Jones, Astragalus racemosus var. racemosus)
• Synonyms: The text uses the term 'synonym' but only to repeat the scientific name.
• USDA Symbol: ASRA2

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Texas and other states.
• Found in Badlands National Park, Jackson County, South Dakota.
• Grows in dry-mesic to dry soil conditions.

Morphological Characteristics

• Herbaceous perennial structure.
• Reaches a height of approximately 2 feet.
• Blooms in May and June with cream-colored flowers.
• Mature plants produce small, cream or pale yellow flowers in clusters.
• In late summer, the flowers become a cone-like hard seed head.
• Peck's milkvetch, a related species, is a prostrate perennial with a deep taproot and reddish petioles.

Quirky Facts

• The plant is associated with selenium bioaccumulation.
• "Shokubutsu" is Japanese for "plant" and is the name of a brand selling shower cream with Chinese Milk Vetch.

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.
• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus racemosus.