Astragalus nuttallianus var. macilentus
Astragalus nuttallianus var. pleianthus
small milkvetch, turkeypeas
richland milkvetch
8–30(–38) cm.
10–30(–45) cm.
(1.5–)2–9.5 cm;
leaflets 7–23, blades sometimes dimorphic, distal ones more narrow, linear-elliptic, oblong-oblanceolate, broadly elliptic, or obovate, apex acute or truncate-emarginate.
1–6.5(–8) cm;
leaflets 13–17(–21), blades broadly elliptic, apex proximally obtuse or emarginate, distally subacute or obtuse.
(2 or)3–27-flowered;
axis to (0.5–)1–3 cm in fruit.
4–9(–12)-flowered;
axis to 0.8(–1.2) cm in fruit.
2.5–9 cm.
longer or shorter than leaves.
calyx 3.4–5.6 mm, loosely sparsely strigulose-pilosulous, tube 2–3.1 mm, lobes 1.1–3 mm;
corolla banner (6.4–)8.5–13 mm;
keel apex obtusely rounded.
calyx 4–5.4(–5.7) mm, hirsute or hirsutulous, tube 2–3.1 mm, lobes 1.8–2.1(–3.1) mm;
corolla banner 7–9(–9.5) mm;
keel apex triangular-acute or sharply deltate, usually beaklike.
(10–)13–25 × 1.8–2.7 mm, glabrous;
substipitate.
13–24 × 1.8–2.8(–3) mm, glabrous.
12–22.
14–18.
Astragalus nuttallianus var. macilentus
Astragalus nuttallianus var. pleianthus
Variety macilentus occurs from south-central Texas to the western tip of the state. Species level recognition may be justified because of its elongating inflorescences, substipitate fruits, obtuse keels, and absence of intergradation with sympatric Astragalus nuttallianus (D. Isely 1998). It is easily confused with A. emoryanus in flower, which is distinguished by its sessile and deciduous fruits.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Variety pleianthus is widespread in Texas east of the one hundredth meridian. It is sympatric with several congeners but does not intergrade with them so justification exists for elevating this taxon to species (see D. Isely 1998 for key to related sympatric species).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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