Astragalus kentrophyta

(Spiny Milkvetch)

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Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7566

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Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7569

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Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7563

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Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7561

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Astragalus kentrophyta, Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 7558

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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
Click Here
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