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    The Astragalus genus is large and complex.  In Colorado Flora, Western Slope William Weber lists over five dozen species with many sub-species.  The new Flora of the Four Corners lists fifty-eight species and several dozen varieties of Astragalus in the Four Corners drainage of the San Juan River.  In Intermountain Flora Arthur Cronquist lists 156 species and 122 varieties.  World-wide there are about 1600 species. 

    Astragalus species are difficult to identify and it is the seed pod, not the flower, that is often crucial in the identification process.

     The common name, "Locoweed", is applied not to one plant but to many members of the Astragalus genus, for many of these plants absorb toxic soil substances, especially selenium, which cause grazing animals a variety of serious ailments.  Further complicating the common name: some people use the name "Locoweed" not only for Astragalus but also for another Pea genus, Oxytropis.  And, making common names even more confusing, many Astragalus also carry the common name of "Milk Vetch" (easily confused with other Peas known as "Vetch").  These common names are so confusing that they really should not be used (except in whispers to close friends). 

    The genus was named by Linnaeus in 1753 and the word "Astragalus" means "ankle bone" in Greek.  It is an ancient Greek plant name perhaps given because of  the seed shape in some members of the Astragalus genus or, the authors of Intermountain Flora conjecture, because the Greeks used rattling bones for dice and the sound made is similar to the rattling of dry Astragalus seeds in the pod.

 

 Astragalus alpinus
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Montane and subalpine.  Streamsides and wet meadows.  Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.

Although Astragalus alpinus is small and individual flowers tiny, it is still easy to spot because it is often found in large colonies and there are numerous colorful flowers on each stalk.  Astragalus alpinus flowers range through shades of purple combined with white and are very attractive.

Linnaeus named this species in 1753 from a specimen he collected in Lapland in 1732.
Astragalus alpinus
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Montane and subalpine.  Streamsides and wet meadows.  Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.

Leaflets typically arch, have no tendrils, and are not present on the flower stalk.
Astragalus alpinus
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Montane and subalpine.  Streamsides and wet meadows.  Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.
Astragalus alpinus
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Montane and subalpine.  Streamsides and wet meadows.  Summer.
Groundhog Meadow Trail, July 31, 2004.