Astragalus coccineus
Encyclopedia
Astragalus coccineus is a species of milkvetch
known by the common name scarlet milkvetch. It is native to the deserts and scrub of the Southwestern United States
, and northern Mexico.
has up to 10 flowers each 3 to 4 centimeters long, or longer.
The fruit is a plump legume pod which dries to a hairy, leathery texture. It is up to 4 centimeters long.
Astragalus
Astragalus is a large genus of about 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
known by the common name scarlet milkvetch. It is native to the deserts and scrub of the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, and northern Mexico.
Description
Astragalus coccineus is a clumpy perennial herb coated thickly in white hairs. Leaves are up to 10 centimeters long and are made up of oblong, pointed leaflets. The plant can be distinguished from most other milkvetches by its large, bright scarlet flowers. The inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
has up to 10 flowers each 3 to 4 centimeters long, or longer.
The fruit is a plump legume pod which dries to a hairy, leathery texture. It is up to 4 centimeters long.