Astragalus didymocarpus is a species of milkvetch known by the common names Dwarf white milkvetch and Two-seeded milkvetch. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in many types of habitat.
Description Astragalus didymocarpus is a slender, hairy annual herb growing erect to about tall, drooping, or flat on the ground in a spreading clump. The leaves are up to long and are made up of narrow to oblong leaflets. The inflorescence is a cluster of up to 30 purple-tinted white flowers, each under long. The inflorescence is covered in long black and white hairs.
The fruit is a small, spherical legume pod which dries to a stiff papery texture.
Varieties There are several varieties of Astragalus didymocarpus: A. d. var. didymocarpus - erect herb found in western Nevada and much of California A. d. var. dispermus - prostrate form native to the desert regions A. d. var. milesianus (Miles' milkvetch) - rare variety found only along the Central Coast of California A. d. var. obispoensis - form with ascending stems native to coastal southern California and Baja California Ecology In the Mojave Desert, Astragalus didymocarpus is foraged on by desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and is a significant part of their diet.Boarman, W.I. 2002. Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). In: Boarman, W.I. and K. Beaman, editors. The sensitive plant and animal species of the Western Mojave Desert. U. S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Sacramento, CA.
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment - Astragalus didymocarpus USDA Plants Profile: Astragalus didymocarpus Photo gallery: Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus