Applegate's Milkvetch Astragalus applegatei
Applegate's Milkvetch is a perennial wildflower native to the lower 48 states. A host for pollen-specialist native bees.
More about this plant
Astragalus applegatei is a rare species of milkvetch known by the common name Applegate's milkvetch. Its scientific name is also spelt Astragalus applegatii. It is endemic to Klamath County, Oregon, where it is known from three populations, one of which is made up of only three plants. Much of the remaining habitat is seriously threatened by development, introduced plant species, and other forces. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Wikipedia →
Growing & care
USDA PLANTS · TRY- Hardiness
- ≥ zone 9 derived from its U.S. range
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Wildlife & pollinators
How pollinator value is scored →❧ Caterpillar hosts ~15 caterpillar species
Astragalus supports ~15 caterpillar species.
Native butterfly & moth caterpillars are the base of the terrestrial food web — most songbirds rear their young almost entirely on them. As a host for native Lepidoptera this is a moderate genus.
Recorded feeding on Astragalus in North America, including:
+ 8 more species → ↑ show fewer
✦ Bees specialist-bee host
Specialist native bees depend on it.
Some native bees are pollen specialists (oligolectic) — they raise young only on pollen from particular plant genera. Astragalus is a recorded specialist-bee host, so losing it can mean losing the bee that relies on it.
Related plants
More Astragalus →
Sources for this entry (13) Open & cited
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