Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Rank Species | Order Fabales Genus Astragalus | |
Astragalus preussii (common name - Preuss’ milkvetch) is an annual or perennial plant in the legume family (Fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.
Contents
Growth pattern
It is an annual or perennial plant from 4 to 15 inches (10 to 38 cm) tall, growing upright from a woody base.
Leaves and stems
It has compound pinnate leaves from 1 1⁄2 to 15 inches (3.8 to 38.1 cm) long, with 7-25 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm), elliptic leaflets.
Inflorescence and fruit
It blooms from March to June. The inflorescence has 3-22 flowers per stalk, with a small, green, 5-lobed calyx around a tublular set of white to pink to purple petals, 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) long. When dried, 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) seed pods are papery or leathery, elliptical, and are either smooth or covered with soft hairs.
Habitat and range
It only grows in soils containing Selenium.
Ecological and human interactions
It is named after Charles Preuss.