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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Astragalus alpinus (Alpine milkvetch)
Weyand, Phyllis

Astragalus alpinus

Astragalus alpinus L.

Alpine Milkvetch

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASAL7

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)

A common plant found throughout northern Canada, south as far as Nevada and New Mexico. It occurs across much of Eurasia as well.

 

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Legume

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CO , ID , ME , MN , MT , NH , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , QC , YT
Native Distribution: Northern Eurasia and North America as far south as Nevada and New Mexico.
Native Habitat: Cool, mesic habitats along streambanks and mountain meadows

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Hecla Sulphur (Colias hecla), Labrador Sulphur (Colias nastes Boisduval)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Labrador Sulphur
(Colias nastes)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
Hecla Sulphur
(Colias hecla)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FAC FAC FAC FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Astragalus alpinus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Astragalus alpinus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Astragalus alpinus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2013-12-15
Research By: TWC Staff

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