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Snake canyon milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus vallaris
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Snake Canyon Milkvetch (Astragalus vallaris)
Astragalus vallaris, commonly known as Snake Canyon Milkvetch, is a narrow endemic plant found in the canyons of the Snake River.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is a milkvetch, and some milkvetch species are known as locoweed in the western US.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus vallaris M.E. Jones
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonyms: Hesperonix vallaris (M.E. Jones) Rydb.
- Family: Fabaceae (Faboideae subfamily)
- Common Names: Snake Canyon Milkvetch, Snake River Milkvetch
Distribution and Habitat
- Astragalus vallaris is a narrow endemic species found only at the southern end of the Snake River canyons.
- It is also mentioned in association with Hells Canyon and major tributaries.
Morphological Characteristics
- Sterile milkvetch is distinguished by its low, freely branching growth from creeping rhizomes (versus the single stout vertical taproot).
Ecological Role
- The plant's presence is noted in association with the Lower Snake River District Special Status Plants.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- It shares habitats with various animal species, including the midget-faded rattlesnake, elk, and several snake species.
Related Species
- Other Astragalus species mentioned include:
- Astragalus atratus var. owyheensis (Owyhee Mning Milkvetch)
- Astragalus camptopus (Barren Milk-vetch)
- Astragalus conjunctus var. conjunctus (Synonym: A. reventus var. conjunctus)
- Astragalus preussii (Preuss' Milkvetch)
- Astragalus purshii
- Astragalus misellus var. pauper (Pauper Milk-vetch)
- Astragalus multiflorus (Loose-flower Milk-vetch)
- Astragalus paysonii
- Astragalus tortipes (Painted Desert Milk-vetch)
- Astragalus robbinsii var. occidentalis (Lamoille Canyon milkvetch)
- Astragalus curvicarpus (Curvepod milkvetch)
- Astragalus detritalis (Debris milkvetch)
- Astragalus oocarpus (San Diego Milkvetch)
- Astragalus solitarius (Solitary Milkvetch)
- Astragalus speirocarpus (Threadstalk Milkvetch)
- Astragalus cusickii packardiae
- Astragalus humistratus (Ground-cover milkvetch)
Further Information
- Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Astragalus vallaris.
- Oregon Flora Project.
- NatureServe.
- Database that includes photos, identification keys.