woollypod milkvetch

Astragalus purshii

The extremely fuzzy seed pods are responsible for its name, appearing like tiny, woolly caterpillars or cocoons nestled in the dirt.

Scientific name: Astragalus purshii
Taxonomy: Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Fabales › Fabaceae › Astragalus
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Population trend: stable
Biome: grassland
Habitat: Dry sagebrush steppe, rocky slopes, and open plains at various elevations.
Diet: Photosynthetic (Autotroph)
Range: Western United States, Western Canada, Great Basin, Rocky Mountains
Size: 5 to 15 cm in height; spreading mats up to 30 cm wide.
Lifespan: 3-7 years
Active: diurnal
Threats: Habitat fragmentation, competition with invasive cheatgrass, and increased wildfire frequency.
Safe to approach?: Harmless to touch. Do not ingest any part of the plant; it contains selenium and swainsonine, which are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock. Safe to observe from any distance.

Astragalus purshii is a species of milkvetch known by the common names woollypod milkvetch and Pursh's milkvetch .

Photo: Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist