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balloonpod milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus whitneyi var. sonneanus
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Astragalus whitneyi: Balloon-pod Milk-vetch
Astragalus whitneyi, a member of the legume family, is known by several common names, most notably Balloon-pod Milk-vetch or Balloon Milk-vetch. Other common names include Whitney's milk vetch and Whitney's Locoweed.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus whitneyi
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
- Synonyms: Astragalus whitneyi var. sonneanus
Distribution and Habitat
This species is native to the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada, California, often found in mountainous regions, with occurrences noted at elevations around 6500 feet in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, sheltered on east-facing walls composed of serpentine.
Morphological Characteristics
- Astragalus whitneyi is described as a grayish to greenish perennial arising from a taproot and much-branched crown.
- The stems are decumbent, typically ranging from 5-30 cm in length, with variable internode spacing.
- A distinctive feature is its inflated, red-mottled seed pods, which resemble balloons.
- The plant produces dozens of white, pea-like blooms that develop into the characteristic inflated pods.
Quirky Facts
- The plant's inflated seed pods have been likened to "little balloons."
Further Information
- Dave's Garden
- CalPhotos Photo Database
- Encyclopedia of Life