About Astragalus spatulatus E.Sheld.
Astragalus spatulatus E.Sheld. is a small perennial plant that forms dense tufts measuring 1.5–9 (–12) cm tall. It has short stems that reach up to 1.5 cm in length. Its leaves are simple, oblanceolate, and alternate along the stems, growing 1–3 cm long. The plant produces purple flowers in May and June, which later develop into erect, strigose legume pods that hold 4–12 seeds. It has a taproot that anchors it in the soil.
This species is widely distributed across Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, and across central and western regions of the United States, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. It grows in a wide range of habitats at elevations between 600 and 2700 m. It can be found in open areas such as grasslands and prairies, as well as in mountain brush communities including sagebrush and pinyon-juniper.
In terms of ecology, Astragalus spatulatus is pollinated by various species of bumble bees (Bombus spp.). No herbal uses for this species are known.
