Scientific name Astragalus coccineus Rank Species | Genus Astragalus Higher classification Milkvetch | |
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Similar Milkvetch, Astragalus layneae, Astragalus newberryi, Astragalus douglasii | ||
Astragalus coccineus is a species of milkvetch known by the common name scarlet locoweed or scarlet milkvetch. It is native to the deserts, scrub, and chaparral of the Southwestern United States in Arizona, California, and Nevada, and in northwestern Mexico.
Description
Astragalus coccineus is a clumpy perennial herb coated thickly in white hairs. Leaves are up to 10 centimeters long and are made up of oblong, pointed leaflets. The plant can be distinguished from most other milkvetches by its large, bright scarlet flowers. The inflorescence has up to 10 flowers each 3 to 4 centimeters long, or longer.
The fruit is a plump legume pod which dries to a hairy, leathery texture. It is up to 4 centimeters long.
References
Astragalus coccineus Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA