Plants somewhat slender, (5–)10–35(–48) cm, villous; from superficial caudex. Stems pros­trate or decumbent to ascend­ing, vil­lous. Leaves 2.5–13 cm; stip­ules distinct, 2.5–7 mm, her­baceous becoming membranous; leaflets (9–)15–25(–29), blades narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, 4–16 mm, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces villous or villous-pilose. Peduncles erect or incurved-ascending, 3–10 cm. Racemes (6–)12–30-flowered, flowers spreading; axis (1–)1.5–5(–7) cm in fruit; bracts 1.5–4.5 mm; bracteoles 0. Pedicels 0.2–0.8 mm. Flowers 7–11(–11.7) mm; calyx cam­panulate, (5–)5.6–8.3 mm, villous or villous-tomentose, tube (2.5–)3.1–4.5 × (2.4–)2.6–3.6 mm, lobes narrowly subulate, (2.4–)2.6–3.6 mm, somewhat accrescent, covering most or all of mature legume; corolla whitish, often tinged lavender, immaculate or keel tip maculate, drying ochroleucous; banner recurved through 50°; keel 5.2–7.4 mm, apex obtuse, sometimes obscurely beaklike. Legumes spreading to ascending, straight, obliquely ovoid, somewhat laterally compressed, (3.5–)4–6 × 2.5–3.5 mm, stiffly papery, densely villous-tomentulose, hairs 1+ mm. Seeds 4–10. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Sagebrush-grass and bunchgrass communities, mostly on basaltic substrates.
Elevation: 300–900(–1200) m.

Distribution

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B.C., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Astragalus spaldingii is a species of central and southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and adjacent Idaho. A disjunct population also occurs in south-central British Columbia. Plants are often grazed and are said to provide good forage (R. C. Barneby 1964).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.