Astragalus cicer

(Chickpea Milkvetch)

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Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8852

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Astragalus cicer, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 9613

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Calyx, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8901

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Seed Pods, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8892

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Leaflets Underside, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8899

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Leaves, Astragalus cicer, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 9696

Scientific Name Astragalus cicer USDA PLANTS Symbol ASCI4
Common Name Chickpea Milkvetch, Cicer Milkvetch ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 25464
Family Fabaceae (Pea) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (5600 to 11000 ft); open areas, pastures, shrublands, aspen woodlands. Introduced species from Europe; found in western and northern US.
Plant: Erect or leaning perennial, a foot or more high, upright when young and becoming decumbent and trailing.
Leaves: Pinnately-compound leaves 4 to 8 inches long, each with 10 to 13 pairs of deep green oblong leaflets 3/4 to 2 inches long, with pointed tips and somewhat hairy undersides.
Inflorescence: Clusters of 15 to 60 pale yellow to white pea-like flowers in a compact raceme; light green calyx is covered by short, light or dark hairs.
Bloom Period: June to August.
Fruit: Pods green or reddish, turning straw-colored to black, silvery hairs; ovoid to ellipsoid to linear-oblanceolate 3/8 to 1/2+ inch long.
Reference: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, American Southwest, and USDA-NRCS Plant Guide.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Introduced

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains