Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Scientific name Astragalus tener Rank Species | Order Fabales Genus Astragalus Higher classification Milkvetch | |
Similar Milkvetch, Legumes, Astragalus pycnostachyus, Astragalus bibullatus, Astragalus agnicidus | ||
Astragalus tener is a species of milkvetch known by the common name alkali milkvetch. It is endemic to California, where it grows in both coastal and inland areas such as the Central Valley, especially in moist places.
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Description
This is an annual herb producing upright stems up to 30 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to nine centimeters in length and made up of several lance-shaped to oval leaflets. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of pinkish-purple white-smudged flowers. The fruit is a narrow legume pod up to five centimeters long and usually containing two smooth seeds.
Varieties
There are three varieties of this species. One, the coastal dunes milkvetch, Astragalus tener var. titi, is a rare plant treated as an endangered species on the federal level. It is probably now limited to coastal Monterey County, having been extirpated from its previous range in southern California.
An example occurrence of Astragalus tener is within the two extant forests of Monterey Cypress, Cupressus Macrocarpus, in Monterey County, California.