Chickpea Milkvetch

Astragalus cicer

Chickpea Milkvetch

Kurt Stüber [1]

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Astragalus
Species:
Astragalus cicer

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
1-2 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun, aug
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Native Range

United States: Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Bee Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers calcareous soils in native range