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solitary milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus solitarius
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Astragalus solitarius
Also known as solitary milkvetch, this plant belongs to the genus Astragalus.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a milkvetch, and other plants in this genus have been called "locoweed" in the western US.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus solitarius M. Peck
- Common Names: Solitary milkvetch, weak milk-vetch, lonesome milkvetch
- Genus: Astragalus L. (milkvetch, astragales, locoweed)
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea or Legume family)
Morphological Characteristics
- Perennial herb with erect, usually solitary stems, growing 1 - 3 feet (30 - 100 cm) tall.
- Leaves have 1 to 7 linear leaflets, 1–12 mm long.
- Flowers are solitary or in pairs in the axils of the leaves, 20–30 mm long.
- Flowers are pea-like, about 6 mm long.
Distribution and Habitat
- The plant can grow as small populations or solitary individuals on dry slopes.
Ecological Role
- It is noted that some milkvetch species are the sole host plant for adults of the blister beetle.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Flowers are visited by solitary bees.
- Cited as a species visited by bees in the genera Osmia and Anthophora.
Cultivation Notes
- Avoid excessive watering; allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Young specimens require more attentive care compared to established adult plants.
Similar Species
- Hairy milk-vetch (Astragalus villosus) is a sprawling species.
- Canada milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis)
Related Species Mentioned
- Preuss' Milkvetch (Astragalus preussii)
- Triple-ribbed milkvetch
- Lone Pine Milkvetch (Astragalus sepultipes)
- Flint Mountain Milkvetch (Astragalus siliceus)
- Broadkeel Milkvetch (Astragalus platytropis)
- Lahontan Milkvetch (Astragalus porrectus)
- Bitterroot milkvetch (Astragalus scaphoides)
- Threadstalk milkvetch (Astragalus filipes)
- Dubois milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus Sheld. var. purpureus Dorn)
- Fernald’s Milk-vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var.)
- Bodin’s Milkvetch
- Robbin’s milkvetch
- Park milkvetch
- Borrego milkvetch
- Minthorn's Milkvetch (Minthorniae)
Further Information
- Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus solitarius.