Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Astragalus datilensis, Batidophaca humistrata, Pisophaca datilensis, Tium humistratum, Tragacantha humistrata
Other common names
villous ground cover milk vetch
loco weed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
Less than 6 inches
Riparian
No
A prostrate, spreading plant with rather unusual yellowish-green flowers that may have white, pink or purple highlights.
A plant with trailing stems, hairy leaves, a calyx with teeth mostly 2/3 as long or longer than the tube, flowers about 1/2 inch long and a beak-like prolongation of the keel distinguishes this from other Astragalus sp.
Habitat
In sandy soils of volcanic origin on slopes, benches, and ledges in xeric pine forest.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
3 to 30 flowers in clusters; 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length.
Flower color
Yellowish-green, whitish, purplish
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves 1/2 to 2 inches long, with 9 to 19 oblong to lanceolate leaflets, about 1/4 inch long. Stems are 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Greenish-gray
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Brown
The pods are slightly curved, 1/4 to 3/4 inch in length, hairy and are attached close to the the stem. Usually found lying on the ground at maturity.