SafePlants

Cream Milkvetch: Astragalus racemosus

Astragalus racemosus, commonly known as Cream Milkvetch, is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae (Pea) family.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Astragalus racemosus Pursh
• Common Name: Cream Milkvetch
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety (Astragalus racemosus var. longisetus M.E. Jones)
• Synonyms: Several sources list Astragalus racemosus Pursh as a synonym for itself, highlighting potential complexities in its taxonomic classification.
• USDA Symbol: ASRA2

Common Names

• Cream milk-vetch
• Alkali poisonvetch
• Creamy Milk Vetch
• Racemose milk vetch
• Alkali milkvetch

Distribution and Habitat

Astragalus racemosus is native to Texas and other states. It has been observed in Badlands National Park, Jackson County, South Dakota. It thrives in dry-mesic to dry soil conditions.

Morphological Characteristics

• Height: Typically grows to a height of 2 feet.
• Bloom Color: Cream
• Bloom Time: Typically blooms in May and June.
• Flowers: The plant produces small, cream or pale yellow flowers, and in some related species, cream to whitish flowers. Mature plants form clusters topped with spreading towers of cream-colored petals. In late summer, the flowers develop into a cone-like hard seed head.
• Structure: Herb, Perennial

Potential Uses

While not a direct use of the plant itself, some shower cream and body wash products incorporate "Chinese Milk Vetch" (which may or may not be directly related to Astragalus racemosus) and are marketed for their natural cleansing properties.

Further Information

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