Astragalus danicus

Purple Milk-vetch

North Slope of Qu'Appelle Valley
at Round Lake
08-June-2002

Note that two of the five petals in flowers from family Leguminosae are usually united along one edge.  The keys in the flora appear to make conflicting statements about the petals being or not being united.  However, legume flowers are unmistakable.

Danicus Characteristics

flowers born on more or less well developed peduncles

inflorescence a short, dense, head-like raceme, about as long as wide

flowers 16-18 mm long

flowers and pods all erect

flowers at least partly reddish, purplish, or bluish; not yellowish

 

Astragalus Characteristics

keel not truncate, but not tipped with a point

 

Leguminosae Characteristics

plants terrestrial

both sepals and petals present

usually 5 sepals, or wholly united

petals distinct from each other, not united in a tube

corolla with petals more or less united

5 petals, of which 2 are usually united along one edge

calyx regular

corolla irregular, pea-like

stamens more numerous than the corolla lobes

stamens usually separate or partly so, not in a column