Astragalus funereus
Astragalus funereus is an uncommon species of milkvetch known by the common names Funeral Mountain milkvetch and black milkvetch.
| Astragalus funereus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. funereus |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus funereus | |
The Latin name funereus and common name "Funeral Mountain milkvetch" refers to a population in the Funeral Mountains of Death Valley in California.
It is native to the Mojave Desert scrub of eastern California and western Nevada.
Description
Astragalus funereus is a small tufted perennial herb coated densely in stiff hairs. The stems are up to 8 centimeters long. The short leaves are made up of several hairy oval-shaped leaflets growing close together. The inflorescence contains up to 10 flowers and is covered in black hairs. The flowers are 2 to 3 centimeters long and pink and purple streaked. The fruit is a compressed, lance-shaped legume pod up to 5 centimeters long. It is leathery and coated in white hairs.
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment - Astragalus funereus
- The Nature Conservancy
- USDA Plants Profile: Astragalus funereus
- Nevada Rare Plants Fact Sheet
- Astragalus funereus - Photo gallery