About Astragalus tennesseensis A.Gray ex Chapm.
Astragalus tennesseensis A.Gray ex Chapm. is a flowering plant species in the legume family, commonly called Tennessee milkvetch. It is native to the United States, occurring in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Alabama, with the majority of its known populations located in Tennessee. This species produces cream-colored flowers between April and May. Its seedlings grow slowly, taking several years to reach reproductive maturity. It is adapted to drought conditions, remaining metabolically active in habitats that stay dry throughout the summer. The species was nearly extirpated from Illinois and Indiana, but a small number of select populations have been reintroduced there, and some natural populations have been rediscovered in Illinois. It grows in cedar glades, glade ecotones, and open prairies. It can be found growing in partial shade under Juniperus virginiana, but it cannot tolerate heavy shade. This species is unique among members of the genus Astragalus, and it is the only species placed in section Tennesseensis.
