Yellow milkvetch facts for kids

Astragalus flavus (yellow milkvetch) is a perennial plant in the legume family (Fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.

Growth pattern

It is an erect or curving perennial from 2 to 12 inches (5.1 to 30.5 cm) tall. The plant is covered with star-shaped hairs.

Patches of the plants in bloom may cover large areas of the ground in yellow from the flowers.

Stems and leaves

1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15.2 cm) leaves are compound pinnate, with linear to egg shaped 1⁄4 to 6 inches (0.64 to 15.24 cm) leaflets.

Inflorescence and fruit

The inflorescence is born on a stalk with 6-30 flowers having a hairy calyx tube and yellow bell-shaped corolla 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) long. "Flavus" means "yellow". It blooms from May to June.

Habitat and range

It grows in saline soil (halophyte) in salt desert shrub between about 3,800 to 5,400 feet (1,200 to 1,600 m) in elevation.