SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 4613.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "4613" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Short's milkvetch

Scientific Name: Astragalus shortianus

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Astragalus shortianus

Astragalus shortianus, commonly known as Short's Milkvetch, is a forb/herb belonging to the genus Astragalus. Other common names include early pink milkvetch and early purple milkvetch.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Astragalus shortianus Nutt. Torr. &amp A.Gray
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea family, also known as Leguminosae)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Common Names: Short's Milkvetch, early pink milkvetch, early purple milkvetch.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some milkvetch species are referred to as "locoweed" in North America.
  • The plant is described as having short, black hairs on its flowers and hairy stalks on the leaves.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is described as having short, black hairs on its flowers and hairy stalks on the leaves.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Astragalus shortianus is found in Central Colorado and New Mexico, USA.
  • It thrives in species-rich, short, dry, and infertile calcareous grassland.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Astragalus shortianus is a perennial herb.
  • Flowers grow in tight clusters at the top of the stem.
  • It is one of the earlier Astragalus species to bloom.
  • Several species have short stems or are loosely tufted.
  • The keel (lower petal) of the flower is rounded.

Ecology

  • It is one of the earlier Astragalus species to bloom in Colorado.
  • Missi milk-vetch is occasionally grazed by livestock and wildlife.

Quirky Facts

  • The text mentions that "the lower petal, the 'keel,' of the Milkvetch is rounded while the Locoweed is..." This hints at a distinguishing feature between milkvetch and locoweed, suggesting there are visual differences.
  • Some species have flowers on short hairy stalks.

Further Information

  • Discover Life has a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus shortianus.
  • The USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database contains information about Astragalus shortianus.
  • Dave's Garden provides a platform for sharing tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.