XAstragalus agrestis - Field MilkvetchX
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Field Milkvetch, Purple Milkvetch, Cock's-head, Meadow Milkvetch (Astragalus agrestis), family Fabaceae (Pea/Bean)
Weber describes this species as "forming low, spreading patches and being frequent in grasslands on the plains and mesas". An almost perfect notation for the instances that we have encountered it, in grassy foothill areas. The species is also present in Asia. Pollination is by bees, with the anthers and stigma of the plant coming in direct contact with the underside of the pollinator. Per the Colorado State University Extension website the species is potentially toxic: 'some of the milkvetches absorb selenium from the soil and can cause cattle, sheep and horses to go "loco", avoiding the plants if other forage is available, but once tasting them, grazing them preferentially until developing the disease'.
Flower -
Plant location: Sighted June 2, 2009 hiking a Boulder County Open Space. The plant view was from a sighting while hiking Hayden/Green Mountain, near Lakewood Colorado. Distribution in the United States: CA , CO , IA , ID , IL , KS , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY. Plant -
Bloom season: May through August.Foliage -
Boulder County Open Space - June 2, 2009
Looking down on inflorescence caylx, wings in profile. -
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Boulder County Open Space - June 2, 2009
Just beginning to form, the fruit/seed pods of the plant. -
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Hayden Green Mountain - May 17, 2015
Peeking out of the throat of the inflorescence, stamens and anthers, wings extended. -
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Hayden Green Mountain - May 17, 2015
Stem deeply veined, calyx with black hairs - an identifying characteristic of the species. Read the full botanic key at BOTANY.cz, here. -
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