Purple Milkvetch
Astragalus agrestis
- Native to:
- Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, United States
Source: Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 | Artist: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pkravchenko" title="User:Pkravchenko">Pkravchenko</a>
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Astragalus
- Species:
- Astragalus agrestis
- USDA Symbol:
- ASAG2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, native pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Prairie species that benefits from periodic fire, which reduces competition and promotes vigorous regrowth from root crown.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination. Seeds have hard coats typical of legumes and benefit from mechanical or hot water treatment before cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI