Utah Milkvetch
Astragalus utahensis
Mason Brock (Masebrock)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Astragalus
- Species:
- Astragalus utahensis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 6 in - 1 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- Pink, Violet
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
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:
- rocky, well-drained, calcareous soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in limestone-rich areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Scarify seed coat using a 20 minute soak in concentrated sulfuric acid followed by consecutive water rinses. Break physiological dormancy by moist cold stratification for 4 weeks with fungicide. Alternatively, leaching seed in water for 48 hours may yield high germination rates without cold treatments.
Establishment: Seed collection requires hand collection from wildland stands from mid-June to mid-July. Later harvests are possible with increasing seed loss. Seeds are stored in breathable bags until cleaned.
Source: npn.rngr.net