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sandstone milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus sesquiflorus

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Sandstone Milkvetch (Astragalus sesquiflorus)

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is in the Astragalus genus, also known as milkvetch and locoweed. Locoweed is a common name for some species in the western US.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is in the Astragalus genus, also known as milkvetch and locoweed. Locoweed is a common name for some species in the western US.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus sesquiflorus S. Watson
  • Common Names: Sandstone Milkvetch
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea or Legume family)
  • Genus: Astragalus L. (Milkvetch, Astragales, Locoweed)
  • Synonyms:
    • Astragalus sesquiflorus var. brevipes Barneby

Distribution and Habitat

  • Sandstone Milkvetch is found on sandstone rock ledges, fissures of domed slickrock, talus under cliffs, and sometimes in sandy areas.
  • It can also be found on rimrock ledges and mesa tops in Point Lookout sandstone, which is a Cretaceous sandstone formation.
  • Geyer's milkvetch (Astragalus geyeri) grows on outcrops of Fox Hill sandstone along the shore of Fort Peck Reservoir.
  • Mancos milkvetch (Astragalus humillimus) is usually found on large, nearly flat sheets of sandstone.
  • Harrison's milkvetch occurs primarily in the Morrison Formation and Entrada Sandstone.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Humboldt Milkvetch is generally glabrous with sparse hairs.

Related Species

  • Astragalus wetherillii Jones (Wetherill's milkvetch)
  • Astragalus anisus
  • Astragalus geyeri (Geyer's Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus humillimus A. Gray ex Brand (Mancos Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus preussii Gray (Preuss' Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus pulsiferae Gray (Ames' Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus rafaelensis (San Rafael Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus musiniensis (Stinking Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus praelongus var. praelongus
  • Astragalus ceramicus Sheldon (Painted Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus danicus Retz. (Purple Milk-vetch)

Watering Information

  • It is suggested to water these plants only from time to time, ensuring to wet the soil deeply using 1-2 [unspecified units].

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus sesquiflorus.
  • The Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History holds information about Astragalus sesquiflorus.