familyFabaceae
subfamilyFabaceae subfam. Faboideae
genusAstragalus
sectionAstragalus sect. Pulsiferani
speciesAstragalus pulsiferae
Astragalus pulsiferae var. suksdorfii
Aliso 4: 131. 1958.
Common names: Suksdorf’s milkvetch
EndemicConservation concern
Basionym: Astragalus suksdorfii Howell Erythea 1: 111. 1893
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 11.
Caudices usually superficial, rarely subterranean. Stems (0–)1.5–2.5 cm underground, mostly simple, sometimes branched (or spurred at 1 or 2 nodes preceding first peduncle); foliose internodes loosely strigose to strigulose, hairs ascending, subappressed, and sinuous. Stipules connate-sheathing at proximal nodes. Flowers: calyx lobes 1.4–2.5 mm. Legumes hirtellous, hairs 0.4–0.7 mm.
Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Open pine forests, in loose volcanic substrates.
Elevation: 1300–1400 m.
Discussion
Variety suksdorfii occurs in Plumas, Lassen, and Shasta counties in California, with an outlier in Falcon Valley in Klickitat County, Washington. The disjunct distribution of var. suksdorfii suggests a longer history than that of var. pulsiferae, which R. C. Barneby (1964) considered to be derived.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.