Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Astragalus agrestis
Astragalus agrestis Douglas ex G. Don
Purple Milkvetch, Field Milk-vetch
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Astragalus danicus var. dasyglottis, Astragalus dasyglottis, Astragalus goniatus, Astragalus hypoglottis
USDA Symbol: ASAG2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A soft green plant tending to grow in patches, with weak stems often leaning on other vegetation, and pink to lavender or purple pea flowers crowded in short heads.
This plant is representative of many of the low Astragalus with purplish or pink flowers; the hundreds of species in the West are difficult to identify. Poisonous species of Astragalus and Oxytropis are known as locoweeds. This species also occurs in Asia
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CA , CO , IA , ID , IL , KS , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WYCanada: BC , SK
Native Distribution: Across much of Canada and south to northeastern California, southern Utah, central New Mexico, Kansas, and Iowa.
Native Habitat: Commonly in moist meadows and prairies and on cool brushy slopes.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Warning: Although this species has not been reported as poisonous, all plants in the genus Astragalus are potentially toxic to humans and animals if ingested, causing a disorder called locoism. The milk from an animal that has ingested Astragalus plants may also bConspicuous Flowers: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACU | FACW | FACW | FACW |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Astragalus agrestis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Astragalus agrestis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Astragalus agrestis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-03-16Research By: TWC Staff