XTwo-Grooved Milkvetch (Astragalus bisulcatus)X
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Two-Grooved Milkvetch -or- Silver-Leafed Milkvetch (Astragalus bisulcatus), family Fabaceae (Pea/Bean)
This example of blue/purple bisulcatus was in bloom near Florence Colorado even though drought conditions had prevailed in the area during the early spring. We were pleased to see at least some wildflowers on the outing. Plants with fruit pods already formed (thus proving the identity of these peas) were a bonus.
The species hazard to livestock is well described by WIKIPEDIA: 'The Astragalus bisulcatus accumulates large quantities of selenium when grown on soils that have selenium, the plant produces amino acids where sulfur is replaced by selenium. Most animals avoid Astragalus bisulcatus because of the musky odor of the dimethyl selenium compounds contained in the plants tissues. Yet, sheep and cattle have indulged in eating the plant, becoming victims of selenium toxicity. Sheep can die in thirty minutes from eating a half a pound of Astragalus bisulcatus, and in 1907 and 1908, approximately 15,000 sheep in Wyoming died with symptoms of either alkali disease or the blind staggers; both of which were outcomes of digesting a large amount of selenium from Astragalus bisulcatus.' End quote.
See our white example of bisulcatus here.
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Plant location: Discovered in the Holcim Wetlands near Florence Colorado on May 4, 2011. GPS coordinates: N38?23.659 W105?01.804 - Elevation: 5052'. The USDA Plant Database shows this species in the following states: AZ, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, SD, UT, WY.Plant -
Bloom season: March through June in Colorado.Foliage -
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