Astragalus funereus is an uncommon species of milkvetch known by the common names Funeral Mountain milkvetch and black milkvetch.

Astragalus funereus

Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Astragalus
Species:
A. funereus
Binomial name
Astragalus funereus

The Latin name funereus and common name "Funeral Mountain milkvetch" refers to a population in the Funeral Mountains of Death Valley in California.

It is native to the Mojave Desert scrub of eastern California and western Nevada.

Description

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Astragalus funereus is a small tufted perennial herb coated densely in stiff hairs. The stems are up to 8 centimeters long. The short leaves are made up of several hairy oval-shaped leaflets growing close together. The inflorescence contains up to 10 flowers and is covered in black hairs. The flowers are 2 to 3 centimeters long and pink and purple streaked. The fruit is a compressed, lance-shaped legume pod up to 5 centimeters long. It is leathery and coated in white hairs.

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