| Astragalus desperatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. desperatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus desperatus M.E. Jones[1] | |
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.[2]: 120
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.[2]: 120
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.[2]: 120
Inflorescence and fruit
It blooms from March to August.[2]: 120 The inflorescence are from stalk to 5 inches (13 cm) tall, with multiple flowers on short stems from the stalk.[2]: 120 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.[2]: 120 Seed pods are up to 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) long, elliptical or curved, and covered with stiff hairs.[2]: 120
Habitat and range
It grows only on the Colorado Plateau (endemic) in mixed desert shrub and pinyon-juniper forest communities.[2]: 120