Polar Milkvetch

Astragalus polaris

Taxonomy

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

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
Less than 6 in
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun, aug
Bloom Colors:
pink, white

Native Range

United States: Alaska

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
adapted to arctic and alpine environments

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o