XBrowse Milkvetch (Astragalus cibarius)X
Click/Tap a thumbnail image to see its larger image with informational details.
-
Browse Milkvetch (Astragalus cibarius), family Fabaceae (Pea/Bean)
A warm thank you to Dr. Matt Lavin, professor at Montana State University's College of Agriculture for pinpointing the identity of this species. This specimen of Browse Milkvetch was somewhat past it's prime, with the fruit of the plant appearing a scant 12 days after finding it in flower. A few flowers were fresh enough to show off it's attractive side. The perennial forb/herb is a member of the huge genus Astragalus which hosts over 3,000 species according to WIKIPEDIA. This may be a number based on worldwide populations although the genus is 'native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere'. The USDA Plant Database puts the number of species in Astragalus at 419. While many species in Astragalus appear to have been used by Native Americans or other cultures in numerous ways, there are no records of such uses of this species. The cibarius species appears in the FDA Poisonous Plant Database however, due to the presence of Aliphatic nitro compounds in the plants which cause livestock poisoning. In a 1978 citation 263 Astragalus species were found poisonous to livestock.
SYMPTOMS: 'Animals chronically poisoned by nitro-bearing Astragalus develop a general weakness in the hindquarters. Methemoglobin may reach 4 to 6% of total hemoglobin. Acutely poisoned animals die 4 to 20 hours after eating nitro-bearing Astragalus. The syndrome is characterized by general weakness, incoordination in the hindquarters, trembling, labored and audible breathing, collapse, and ultimately death from cardiac and respiratory failure.' End quote from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.
Dr. Matt Lavin has a great set of cibarius photos and excellent technical information here.
Flower -
Plant location: Found at Legion Park Colorado. In flower on May 21, 2010 - in fruit on June 2, 2010. Not widespread throughout the United States, this species is found only in: CO, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY. The park is a prairie habitat environment. For dedicated hikers another choice might be in order. The trail at Legion is a whopping .9 miles.Plant -
Bloom season: Our specimen was blooming in late May. Dr. Lavin's was photographed blooming in early July (in Idaho).
Foliage -
Legion Park Colorado
Fruit on plant on June 2, 2010 -
Legion Park Colorado - June 2, 2010
Another pod view -
Legion Park Colorado
Stem detail photographed on May 21, 2010. -
-
Legion Park Colorado
Flower profile view and bract. -
-
Legion Park Colorado
Foliage, upperside view -
-
Legion Park Colorado
Foliage, underside view - upper and underside both heavily pubescent (hairy) -