Astragalus desperatus explained

Astragalus desperatus (common name - rimrock milkvetch) is a perennial plant in the legume family (Fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.[1]

Description

Growth pattern

It is a low growing perennial plant growing from NaNinchestoNaNinchesin (toin) tall.[1]

Leaves and stems

Compound pinnate leaves are from NaNinchestoNaNinchesin (toin) long, with 7–17 elliptical to inversely lanceolate leaflets.[1]

Inflorescence and fruit

It blooms from March to August.[1] The inflorescence are from stalk to 5inches tall, with multiple flowers on short stems from the stalk.[1] Each ink to purple flower has a calyx tube that is bell-shaped and up to NaNinches long, and petals to NaNinches long.[1] Seed pods are up to NaNinches long, elliptical or curved, and covered with stiff hairs.[1]

Habitat and range

It grows only on the Colorado Plateau (endemic) in mixed desert shrub and pinyon-juniper forest communities.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan, 2nd ed., 2012, Morris Bush Publishing, LLC. in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association,