Astragalus desperatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astragalus desperatus |
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| Scientific classification |
Astragalus desperatus (common name - rimrock milkweed) is a perennial plant in the legume family (Fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.
Description
Growth pattern
It is a low growing perennial plant growing from 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 inches (1.3 to 11.4 cm) tall.
Leaves and stems
Compound pinnate leaves are from 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 inches (1.3 to 11.4 cm) long, with 7–17 elliptical to inversely lanceolate leaflets.
Inflorescence and fruit
It blooms from March to August. The inflorescence are from stalk to 5 inches (13 cm) tall, with multiple flowers on short stems from the stalk. Each ink to purple flower has a calyx tube that is bell-shaped and up to 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) long, and petals to 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) long. Seed pods are up to 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) long, elliptical or curved, and covered with stiff hairs.
Habitat and range
It grows only on the Colorado Plateau (endemic) in mixed desert shrub and pinyon-juniper forest communities.
