Biology:Astragalus bicristatus

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Short description: Species of legume

Astragalus bicristatus

Vulnerable (NatureServe)
Scientific classification edit
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
A.Gray

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]

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

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q4811204 entry