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Whited's milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus sinuatus
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: WA (Whited's milk-vetch)
Whited's Milkvetch (Astragalus sinuatus)
Whited's milkvetch, scientifically known as Astragalus sinuatus, is a critically endangered plant species found only in a small region of Washington State, USA. This forb/herb, a non-woody plant, belongs to the legume family and is notable for its rarity and specific habitat requirements.
Common Names
- Whited's Milkvetch
- Milkvetch (general term for many Astragalus species)
- Locoweed (in North America, for some Astragalus species)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus sinuatus Piper
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Family: Fabaceae (also known as the Bean family)
- Synonyms:
- Astragalus whitedii Piper
- Homalobus sinuatus
- Homalobus whitedii
- Phaca sinuata
Distribution and Habitat
- Endemic to the state of Washington, USA.
- Specifically found in the Wenatchee area.
- Restricted to a tiny area, approximately an 8km to 10km square area in eastern Washington.
- Inhabits dry hillsides and sagebrush steppe communities.
- There are only eight known populations.
Ecological Role
- Designated as endangered by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.
Morphological Characteristics
- Whited's milkvetch is a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
- It is a perennial herb.
- It is a white-flowered plant.
Conservation Status
- Critically Endangered.
- Threatened by invasive, non-native species.
- Threatened by grazing.
- Its protection is focused on safeguarding the existing populations.