Ashen Milkvetch
Astragalus tephrodes
On a sunny embankment near Pinto Creek, Gila Co., Arizona. 29 Feb. 2012. On this date there were newly opened flowers and no fruit development.
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LEAVES: The leaves are divided into numerous small leaflets arrayed along a single rachis. The are ashy green and point-tipped.
RANGE: This is among many milkvetch species found in the southwestern USA. Ashen milkvetch is recorded from California to New Mexico.
PERENNIAL: Above ground portions are entirely herbaceous without woody stems, regrowing in early spring and rarely more than 50 cm tall.
FLOWERS: Short spikes of purple or pinkish flowers are pea-flower shaped, but with an elongated tube.
FRUIT: The bean pods on maturity are inflated with air and become light and easily wind-blown.
UNARMED