Astragalus alopecurus

Astragalus alopecurus, synonym Astragalus centralpinus, is a species of milkvetch in the family Fabaceae.

Astragalus alopecurus
Plant in the Queyras
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Astragalus
Species:	A. alopecurus
Binomial name
Astragalus alopecurus Pall.
Synonyms
Astragalus alopecians K.Koch ex Bunge Astragalus alopecuroides Ledeb., sensu auct. Astragalus centralpinus Braun-Blanq. Astragalus dasysemius (D.F.Chamb. & V.A.Matthews) Ponert Astragalus dzhawakheticus Bordz. Astragalus maximus Willd. Tragacantha alopecurus (Pall.) Kuntze Tragacantha maxima (Willd.) Kuntze

Description

Astragalus alopecurus can reach a height of 50–90 centimetres (20–35 in). The hairy stem has a diameter of about 10 mm. Leaves are petiolated, 20–30 centimetres (7.9–11.8 in) long, with rachis covered with ascending hairs. Leaflets are ovate to elliptic, in 20-25 pairs. The inflorescences are in clusters subsessile or with peduncle up to 1 cm, ovoid to cylindrical, 5–9.5 centimetres (2.0–3.7 in), while bracts reach 10–20 millimetres (0.39–0.79 in). Petals are yellow and glabrous. This plant blooms from June to August.

Distribution

Astragalus alopecurus has a wide native distribution, from Europe (Bulgaria, Italy, France, eastern European Russia) to temperate Asia (the Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Xinjiang in China).

Habitat

It can be found in mountain regions at an elevation 1,400–2,000 metres (4,600–6,600 ft) above sea level.

Flowers in the Queyras

References

• USDA Plants Profile
• Luirig altervista
• Flora of China
• Catalogue of life