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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Bilateral Symmetry - Legume Family - Milkvetch

                    

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) - Legume family
Buffalo Clover (Lindheimer's Milkvetch, Grape Cool-aid Pea) Astragalus lindheimeri
Each flower is about 1/2" tall, in bouquet clusters of 1-2" wide. Leaflets are smaller than flowers with a flat or notched end. Pods are 1" long and narrow. Upright plant grows to about 12" tall. In wet springs these plants create great mounds on roadsides, filling the air with the scent of grape cool-aid.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, March 2003, April 2005, April 2007
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

        

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) - Legume family
Slim-pod Milkvetch (Rare Loco Milkvetch) Astragalus leptocarpus
The tiny flower is 1/4"-3/8" wide in small clusters. Leaves are very large in comparison to the flowers. Leaflet ends are flat to notched. Triangular pods are 1 1/2" long and narrow. Plant is somewhat sprawling and grows to about 12" tall. This plant was growing in a city flower bed. Poisonous if eaten.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005
(Native of Texas - Comanche)

        

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) - Legume family
Platte Milkvetch Astragalus plattensis
Flower can be cream, purple, lilac, or greenish; 3/4"-1" long. Fat, 1/2" long, purple/brown pods are edible. Plant is somewhat sprawling.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, March & April 2005
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

           

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) - Legume family
Missouri Milkvetch Astragalus missouriensis
1/2" wide in large, tight clusters. Leaves are large in comparison to the flowers. Pods are 1" long and fat. Plant is sprawling and grows to about 12" wide. Large crowned taproot.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005
(Native of Texas - Fisher)

Similar Species

Woolly Milkvetch Astragalus mollissimus
Narrow flowers, pink/purple and white, tubular reddish, banner arches backward. Woolly leaves, stems, bracts, and pods. Pods short and curled into a ball. Leaves roundish and close set. Poisonous to sheep.
(Native of Texas - Coleman, Nolan, Fisher)

        

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) - Legume family
? Common Name? **zb 2** Scientific Name
This is a very tiny version. The flower is about 3/16" wide in a cluster of 1-4. Leaves are small. Pods are 1/2" long and narrow. Plant grows 3-6" tall.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2004, April 2005
(Native of Texas)

Hunting Similar Species

likely   Turkeypeas (Small Flowered Milkvetch) Astragalus nuttallianus
Purple and white flower, banner nearly round, wings white and close set. Pods brown/red. Leaves wooly, wide spaced. Several variations and variable within those.
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Edwards Plateau Milkvetch Astragalus pleianthus
Flowers in tight bundle at end of long stem. Small upright plant with taproot. Long pods.
(Native of Texas - Tom Green)

Wright Milkvetch Astragalus wrightii
Small flowers at end of long stems. Leaves wide spaced. Pods short.
(Native of Texas - Coleman, Brown)

Other Species in my Area

Slender Milkvetch Astragalus gracilis
Small flowers, pale to dark purple, widespread on long stems. Leaflets very linear. Pod fat and triangular. Woody base can be 6" wide.
(Native of Texas - Fisher)

Lotus Milkvetch (Low Milkvetch) Astragalus lotiflorus
White to yellow flowers sometimes pink, 1/4" long. Inner stems and leaves erect, outer, reclined to almost flat. Large taproot. Leaves are gray with hairs, wide spaced.
This species has two flower types, not generally seen on the same plant. 1) dense heads on slender stalk; white, yellow, purple 2) inconspicuous self-pollinating flowers on short stalks at base.
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Shackelford)