Astragalus bicristatus

Astragalus bicristatus is a species of milkvetch known by the common names crested milkvetch and two-crested milkvetch. It is endemic to southern California, where it grows in the coniferous forests of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains of the Transverse Ranges.[1]

Astragalus bicristatus

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Astragalus
Species:
A. bicristatus
Binomial name
Astragalus bicristatus

Distribution and habitat

It has a global rank of G3, which means it is vulnerable.[1] It is found in the habitat of Yellow Pine Forests. It has major toxicity, probably from eating it.[2]

Description

Astragalus bicristatus is a perennial herb sprawling outwards with stems to a maximum length approaching half a meter. The leaves are up to 14 centimeters long and are made up of very widely spaced narrow linear leaflets. The stems and foliage have sparse grayish hairs, giving them a rough texture. The inflorescence is a loose array of up to 20 pealike flowers. Each flower is between 1 and 2 centimeters long and is purple-tinted white to light greenish yellow.[3]

Its bloom period is between the months of May and August.[2]

The fruit is a hanging capsule 2 to 4 centimeters long and curved or crescent-shaped. It is fleshy when immature and leathery to woody when dried.[4]

References
  1. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. "Astragalus bicristatus Calflora". www.calflora.org. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  3. "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  4. "Astragalus bicristatus".


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