Astragalus spatulatus
| Astragalus spatulatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. spatulatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus spatulatus E.Sheld.
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
List
| |
Astragalus spatulatus is a plant in the milkvetch genus in the legume family and it is commonly referred to as tufted milkvetch and draba milkvetch. This plant was previously named Homalobus caespitosus by J. Torrey and A. Gray in 1838, however, it was reclassified into a new genus and then renamed in 1894 by E. Sheldon.[3][4][5]
Description
Small perennial plant forming dense tufts (1.5–9 (–12) cm), with short stems up to 1.5 cm long.[4][6] Leaves are simple, oblanceolate, and alternate on the stems, measuring 1–3 cm.[3][4][5][6] Produces purple flowers in May and June, which develop into erect, strigose legumes containing 4–12 seeds.[3][4][6] Possesses a taproot that helps anchor the plant in the soil.[6]
Taxonomy
Astragalus spatulatus was scientifically described and named by Edmund Perry Sheldon in 1894. It is classified as a member of the genus Astragalus in the family Fabaceae. It has no accepted varieties, but has two in its thirteen synonyms.[2]
| Name | Year | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astragalus caespitosus (Nutt.) A.Gray | 1864 | species | ≡ hom., nom. illeg. |
| Astragalus simplex Tidestr. | 1925 | species | = het. |
| Astragalus simplicifolius var. caespitosus (Nutt.) M.E.Jones | 1895 | variety | ≡ hom. |
| Astragalus simplicifolius var. spatulatus (E.Sheld.) M.E.Jones | 1902 | variety | ≡ hom. |
| Astragalus spatulatus var. simplex Tidestr. | 1937 | variety | = het. |
| Astragalus spatulatus var. typicus Barneby | 1947 | variety | ≡ hom., not validly publ. |
| Astragalus spatulatus var. uniflorus (Rydb.) Barneby | 1947 | variety | = het. |
| Homalobus brachycarpus Nutt. | 1838 | species | = het. |
| Homalobus caespitosus Nutt. | 1838 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Homalobus canescens Nutt. | 1838 | species | = het. |
| Homalobus uniflorus Rydb. | 1907 | species | = het. |
| Phaca brachycarpa Britton | 1894 | species | = het., nom. illeg. |
| Tragacantha caespitosa (Nutt.) Kuntze | 1891 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym | |||
Distribution and habitat
Astragalus spatulatus has as widely distributed from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada and in central and western United states including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.[3][4][5][7][8][6][9]
This plant grows in a wide variety of habitat typical in between 600–2700 m elevation.[4] Astragalus spatulatus can be found in open areas such as grassland and prairies and in mountain brush communities, such as sage brush and pinyon-juniper.[3][4][6]
Ecology
Pollinated by various species of bumble bees (Bombus spp.).[5]
Uses
No known herbal uses.
References
- ^ NatureServe (1 November 2025). "Astragalus spatulatus". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Astragalus spatulatus E.Sheld". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Webmaster, David Ratz. "Tufted Milkvetch - Montana Field Guide". fieldguide.mt.gov. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Astragalus spatulatus - FNA". floranorthamerica.org. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The Botanic Garden of Texas". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f McGregor, Ronald L. (1986). Flora of the Great Plains. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas. p. 435. ISBN 978-0700602957.
- ^ "SEINet - AZ/NM Node - Astragalus spatulatus". swbiodiversity.org. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries". data.huh.harvard.edu. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ "900286". Desert Legume Program. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
External links
- "University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Herbarium - Astragalus spatulatus". botany-server3.colorado.edu. Retrieved 19 November 2025. (Photo Gallery)