Astragalus cicer
(Chickpea Milkvetch)
Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8852
Astragalus cicer, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 9613
Calyx, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8901
Seed Pods, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8892
Leaflets Underside, Astragalus cicer, Farmers Korner, Summit Co. 8899
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