Astragalus williamsii
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Astragalus williamsii, commonly known as Williams' milk-vetch, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae.[3] It is a perennial herb with yellow petals.
| Astragalus williamsii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. williamsii |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus williamsii Britton & Rydb. | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The species is native to Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, and faces no major conservation threats.
Distribution
Astragalus williamsii is native to southern Alaska and Canada's Yukon territory.[3] It is found in forests, grasslands, and inland wetlands, at elevations from 600–1,800 metres (2,000–5,900 ft).[1]
The species grows in sand or gravel near the banks of creeks, and near aspen trees in open woodlands. It has been found growing in podzol.[1]
The type specimen was collected near the Big Salmon River in 1899.[4] The species was described in 1900.[2]
Description
Astragalus williamsii is a perennial herb.[1]
The stem is 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) high, hairless, and light green or straw-coloured. The leaves are 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long. The plant has nine to eleven leaflets, which are 1.5–3.5 centimetres (0.59–1.38 in) long, and 0.4–0.8 centimetres (0.16–0.31 in) wide.[4]
The petals are yellow, with purplish ridges. The calyx is black, hairy, and grows around 3 millimetres (0.12 in) long. The flower stalk is 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) long.[4]
The fruit is 1–1.4 centimetres (0.39–0.55 in) long, and 0.4 centimetres (0.16 in) wide. Each fruit has around four brownish-black seeds.[4]
Conservation
Astragalus williamsii is classified as of Least Concern by the IUCN. It is common in its range, and faces no threats.[1] NatureServe classifies the species as Apparently Secure in Canada, and Vulnerable in its Alaskan range.[5]
