Astragalus lentiginosus

Astragalus lentiginosus (pronunciation: as-tra-GA-lus len-ti-gi-NO-sus), also known as the Freckled Milkvetch, is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is native to western North America, where it is widespread and found in various habitats.

Etymology

The genus name Astragalus is derived from the Greek word "astragalos", which means "ankle bone", a reference to the shape of the seeds. The species name lentiginosus is Latin for "freckled", referring to the speckled appearance of the seed pods.

Description

Astragalus lentiginosus is a perennial herb that grows in clumps with stems up to 60 cm long. The leaves are up to 12 cm long and are made up of many small, oval leaflets. The inflorescence bears up to 25 flowers, each around 2 cm long. The fruit is a legume pod up to 4 cm long, which is covered in tiny hairs and freckles.

Habitat and Distribution

This species is found in a wide range of habitats, from desert scrub to alpine meadows, across western North America. It is particularly common in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert.

Uses

Historically, Astragalus lentiginosus has been used in traditional medicine by Native American tribes. The roots were used to treat coughs and colds, while the leaves were used as a poultice for wounds.

Related Species

Astragalus lentiginosus is part of the large Astragalus genus, which contains over 3,000 species. Related species include Astragalus agrestis, the Purple Milkvetch, and Astragalus alpinus, the Alpine Milkvetch.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Astragalus lentiginosus
Wikipedia's article - Astragalus lentiginosus

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Astragalus lentiginosus