Astragalus kentrophyta
(Spiny Milkvetch)
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7566
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7569
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7563
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7561
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7558
Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7573
| Scientific Name | Astragalus kentrophyta | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ASKE |
| Common Name | Spiny Milkvetch | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 25553 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to subalpine (4000 to 10800 ft.); sandy or rocky soils in open areas. Plant: Low-growing perennial with prostrate stems a few inches high forming mats up to 16 inches across. Leaves: Odd pinnately-compound leaves, each with 3 to 7 spine-tipped linear-elliptic or linear-oblanceolate leaflets up to 2/3-inch long; surfaces flat or curled inward with appressed or dolabriform (axe-shaped) hairs. Inflorescence: Short racemes in the leaf axils, each with 1 to 3 small pea-like flowers barely rising above the leaflets; white to yellowish-white or pink-purplish corolla and banner 1/4 to 1/2-inch long; calyx ~1/4-inch long and pubescent-hairy. Bloom Period: May to August. Fruit: Small compressed-ovoid pods less than 1/3-inch long, green, becoming straw colored. Reference: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, American Southwest, Montana Field Guide and SEINet. |
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