Astragulus osterhoutii
(Osterhout's Milkvetch)
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0134
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0149
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0131
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0144
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0151
Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0291
| Scientific Name | Astragalus osterhoutii | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ASOS |
| Common Name | Osterhout's Milkvetch, Kremmling Milkvetch | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 25618 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | US Fish & Wildlife Ref. | Click Here |
| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Middle Park, Grand Co. (7500 to 7900 ft.); selenium-rich clay soils on shale slopes (badlands). Plant: Perennial with a few to many slender and erect, smooth stems 12 to 40 inches tall. Leaves: Odd pinnately-compound leaves 2 to 8 inches long with 7 to 13 narrowly-oblanceolate to linear leaflets, each 3/8 to 1-1/2 inches long; raised edges. Inflorescence: Racemes with 3 to 15 white flowers; pea-like flowers have a banner around 3/4-inch long; calyx tube less than 3/8-inch long, with black and/or white hairs. Bloom Period: June to August. Fruit: Pods are flattened, oblong-lanceolate, 3/4 to 1-3/4 inches long, becoming reddish and hanging down. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, USDA Plants Guide and US Fish and Wildflife Service. Notes: A. osterhoutii is a selenium accumulator and may cause selenium poisoning; the plant is found only in a few small areas in Grand County around Kremmling. |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native ENDANGERED |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County