About Astragalus curtipes A.Gray
Morro milkvetch, scientifically named Astragalus curtipes A.Gray, is a clumpy perennial herb covered in a dense layer of rough, woolly hairs. Its gray-green leaves grow up to 16 centimeters long, and are composed of long, narrow, fuzzy leaflets. The plant produces a dense inflorescence holding up to 35 flowers, each measuring around 1.5 centimeters long. The flowers are cream-colored, and sometimes have lilac-colored tips. This species blooms in May. Its fruit is an inflated legume pod that is 2 to 3 centimeters long; when dry, the pod develops a thin, papery texture. Its single chamber holds many seeds. It is closely related to Astragalus nuttallii, and the only major difference between the two species is the elevation of the pod.