1. Astragalus Mollissimus Torr. Woolly Loco-Weed Or Crazy-Weed

Fig. 2534

Phaca villosa James, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. (II.) 2: 186. 1825. Not Nutt. 1818.

Astragalus mollissimus Torr. Ann. Lye. 2: 178. 1826.

Decumbent or ascending, stout, bushy, densely villous-pubescent, °-2° high. Stem very short; stipules membranous, ovate, pointed, 3"-5" long, adnate to the petiole; leaflets 19-27, oval, obtuse, but pointed at the apex, narrowed or rounded at the base, 4"-6" long, 2"-3" wide; peduncles equalling or exceeding the leaves; flowers violet-purple, 8"-12" long, in dense spikes; pod oblong, dry, cartilaginous, glabrous, dehiscent into 2 valves, somewhat compressed, sessile, 2-celled, 5"-10" long, about 3" thick, furrowed at both sutures, slightly curved at maturity.

Prairies, plains and hills, Nebraska to Wyoming, Texas and New Mexico. June. The popular name of the plant is from its poisonous effects on cattle. Rattle-bag weed.

2. Astragalus Carohniànus L. Carolina Or Canadian Milk Vetch

Fig. 2535

Astragalus carolinianus L. Sp. Pl. 757. 1753. Astragalus canadensis L. Sp. Pl. 757. 1753.

Glabrous or slightly pubescent, erect or ascending, branched, 1°-4° high. Stipules membranous, broadly lanceolate, acuminate, 2"-4" long; leaflets 15-31, elliptic or oval, obtuse or slightly emarginate at the apex, rounded at the base, 1'-2' long, 3"-9" wide; peduncles longer than the leaves, or shorter; flowers greenish yellow, 6"-8" long in dense thick spikes; pod oblong, sessile, 2-celled, coriaceous, dehiscent, glabrous, erect, terete, or sometimes slightly furrowed at the dorsal suture, pointed, nearly straight, 5"-8" long.

Along streams, Quebec and Hudson Bay to Saskatchewan, western New York, Georgia, Louisiana, Nebraska and Utah. Canadian rattle-weed. July-Aug.

3. Astragalus Adsúrgens Pall. Ascending Milk Vetch

Fig. 2536

A. adsurgens Pall. Astrag. 40. pl. 31. 1800.

A. striatus Nutt.; T. & G. Fl. N. A. 1: 330. 1838.

Minutely cinereous-pubescent or glabrate, ascending or decumbent, 4'-18' long, simple or branched at the base. Stipules membranous, ovate, acuminate, 3"-5" long; leaflets 15-25, oval to linear-oblong, obtuse and sometimes emarginate at the apex, narrowed at the base, 8"-12" long; peduncles exceeding the leaves; flowers purplish, 6"-8" long, in dense short spikes; pod sessile, 2-celled, oblong, pointed, coriaceous, finely pubescent, erect, dehiscent, cordate-triangular in section, deeply furrowed on the back, 4"-6" long.

Prairies, Minnesota to Manitoba, Keewatin, British Columbia, Kansas, Colorado and Nevada. Also in northern Asia. June-July.