Astragalus oocarpus
Astragalus oocarpus is a rare species of milkvetch known by the common names San Diego milkvetch and Descanso milkvetch.
| Astragalus oocarpus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. oocarpus |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus oocarpus | |
It is endemic to southern California, where it is known only from the Peninsular Ranges of San Diego County. Its range may extend north into Riverside County.[1] It is a plant of the chaparral slopes and woodlands of the mountains.
Description
Astragalus oocarpus is a perennial herb producing upright to erect hollow stems up to 1.3 meters tall. Leaves are up to 17 centimeters long and are made up of veiny lance-shaped leaflets each up to 3 centimeters in length. The stem and leaves are mostly hairless.
The inflorescence holds up to 75 cream-colored flowers, each between 1 and 2 centimeters in length. The fruit is an inflated legume pod 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long which dries to a stiff papery texture.
See also
- California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
References
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment — Astragalus oocarpus
- USDA Plants Profile: Astragalus oocarpus
- Sierra Club Rare Plants Profile - Astragalus oocarpus (c.1994)