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.

Semi-desert.  Shrublands, woodlands, openings.  Spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 15, 2010.

Astragalus wingatanus grows from six to eighteen inches tall in a spreading ascending pattern forming broad clumps.  Notice (in the photograph at the top of the page) the arching then upright pattern of the stems and also the slight kink in a number of the stems. 

Flowers are numerous but quite small  --  just 5-8 millimeters long.  Seed pods, nine-to-fifteen millimeters long, initially point upward, then horizontally, and eventually they decline.

Astragalus wingatanus might be mistaken for Astragalus coltonii variety moabensis. They bloom about the same time, occupy similar habitats, have somewhat similar growth pattern and flower color, etc.  A close look will show A. coltonii to be a more robust plant, growing to nearly twice the size of A. wingatanus with flowers also twice the size. Flowers of A. coltonii are much deeper rose/purple.  Click to compare.

Astragalus wingatanus was named and described by Sereno Watson in 1883 from a specimen collected by Dr. W. Matthews at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, in 1882.  The Fort was named for Major Benjamin Wingate, Civil War hero.  (Click for more biographical information about Wingate.)

Astragalus wingatanus 
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Semi-desert.  Shrublands, woodlands, openings.  Spring, summer.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 15, 2010.

Banner petals and base of wings are a pale pink/purple but the wing tips are bright white, matching the white streaks in the banner.  If one first sees only the buds, one can be mislead about the flower color.  This is true for bud and flower color of many plants. Notice also that hairiness of the stem varies; the plant at left is almost glabrous whereas the one on the right is lightly covered in fine white hairs.

Astragalus wingatanus 
Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Semi-desert.  Shrublands, woodlands, openings.  Spring, summer.
Mud Springs Trail near Cortez, May 24, 2010.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Astragalus wingatanus