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Tufted Milkvetch
ExplorePlants
Tufted Milkvetch
Astragalus spatulatus
The Tufted Milkvetch is a special plant with fluffy, green leaves and pretty purple flowers. It grows in the wild and helps make the ground healthy.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Tufted Milkvetch has dense mats of silvery-hairy leaves. Its small, pea-like flowers range from pale lavender to purple, clustered tightly together. The plant often forms a low cushion against rocky or sandy ground.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusAstragalus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It grows mostly in dry western North America, especially on open, rocky slopes.
Its roots team up with tiny helpers to make the soil healthier!
Some call it 'Paddle-Pod Milkvetch' because of its interesting flat seed pods!
This tough plant can live for many years in very dry, harsh climates!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Dodger
Tufted Milkvetch can survive dry, rocky soils using special adaptations, helping it thrive where other plants cannot.
Ability
Soil Stabilizer
Tufted Milkvetch has strong, deep roots that anchor soil, preventing erosion and keeping the ground firm.
Ability
Nutrient Nurturer
Tufted Milkvetch can enrich soil by partnering with bacteria to fix nitrogen, acting like a natural fertilizer.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-20 cm
- Spread
- 15-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Two-form Bumblebee
Bombus bifarius
Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
An important pollinator, transferring pollen between flowers.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
May browse on leaves and stems, especially new growth.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Tufted Milkvetch?
5-20 cm
How wide does Tufted Milkvetch spread?
15-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Tufted Milkvetch?
1-2 cm
When does Tufted Milkvetch bloom?
Late spring to summer
Is Tufted Milkvetch edible?
No
Is Tufted Milkvetch toxic?
None
What is Tufted Milkvetch's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Tufted Milkvetch pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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