Astragalus flexuosus Astragalus flexuosus, also known as the Slender milk-vetch, is a legume in the genus Astragalus (MNDNR, 2023). Description Astragalus flexuosus is a perennial that is low to the ground and has a viny look to it (MNDNR, 2023). This flower has many stems that give rise to a pale purple colored flower that is pea shaped (Minnesota Wildflowers). This plant typically starts to bloom in June all the way until September and can be anywhere between 8 – 16 inches in height (MNDNR, 2023). Habitat Astragalus flexuosus is native to North America that occurs in the Western Plains and Grasslands that are most commonly found in sandy praries and bluffs in these areas (Minnesota Wildflowers). In the United states this plant occurs in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. In Canada this plant occurs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (MNDNR, 2023). Conservation Range Astragalus flexuosus faces many challenges in conservation stemming from overgrazing, herbicides, and non-native grasses (MNDNR, 2023). Cattle farmers using these praries for their cattle is causing overgrazing (MNDNR, 2023). Farmers using herbicides to kill off thistles is also affected Astragalus flexuosus (MNDNR, 2023). Non-native grasses are out competing Astragalus flexuosus which has proven to be extremely detrimental to the species (MNDNR, 2023).
No direct attempt to conserve the Astragalus flexuosus has been made yet but many of these states have federal agency owned lands that are working on protecting these prairies (MNDNR, 2023). Along with these agency owned lands there are also prescribed fire and herbicide being used to remove non-native plants from praries (MNDNR, 2023).
Citations Minnesota Wildflowers. (n.d.). Astragalus flexuosus (slender milkvetch). https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/slender-milkvetch MNDNR, (September 20, 2023). Astragalus flexuosus var. flexuosus : Slender milk-vetch: Rare species guide. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement= Lee, G. (n.d.). Astragalus flexuosus photos Saskatchewan Wildflowers (saskwildflower.ca). Saskatchewan Wildflowers. photograph, Regina, SK. Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://www.saskwildflower.ca/nat_Astragalus-flexuosus.html.