Astragalus gracilis

(Slender Milkvetch)

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Astragalus gracilis, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7437

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Astragalus gracilis, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7445

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Astragalus gracilis, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7447

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Astragalus gracilis, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7439

Scientific Name Astragalus gracilis USDA PLANTS Symbol ASGR3
Common Name Slender Milkvetch ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 25528
Family Fabaceae (Pea) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 6500 ft.); often calcareous soils on open prairies, wooded or brushy hillsides, ravines, and roadsides.
Plant: Erect, ascending, or decumbent, 1 or more branched weak stems 6 to 16 inches long; stems covered with fine, short, appressed hairs.
Leaves: Odd-pinnately-compound leaves 3/4 to 2-3/4 inches long with each blade divided into 9 to 17 narrowly-linear or linear-oblong widely separated leaflets, 1/4 to 3/4-inch long, less than 1/10 inch wide up to 3/8-inch long; upward-curled edges.
Inflorescence: Loose spike-like racemes 2 to 8 inches long with 3 to 50 pea-like blossoms; corollas dark purple to pale pinkish or sometimes whitish with purple keel tips, fading to yellowish; banner often purple-veined.
Bloom Period: May to July.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

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