

Jesup's Milkvetch (var. jesupii) Astragalus robbinsii var. jesupii variety
Jesup's Milkvetch (var. jesupii) is a perennial wildflower native to the lower 48 states. A host for pollen-specialist native bees.
More about this plant
Astragalus robbinsii is a species of milkvetch known by the common name Robbins's milkvetch. It is native to North America, where it is widespread with several varieties originating from different regions.A. r. var. alpiniformis is endemic to Oregon. A. r. var. fernaldii is known from Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. A. r. var. harringtonii is endemic to Alaska. A. r. var. jesupii is a rare variety known only from three locations on the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont and is a federally listed endangered species. A. r. var. minor, the most widespread variety, can be found in western North America and eastern Canada. A. r. var. occidentalis is a rare variety endemic to the Ruby Mountains of Nevada. A. r. var. robbinsii is endemic to Vermont. Wikipedia →
Growing & care
USDA PLANTS · TRY- Hardiness
- ≥ zone 5 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.
Sources for this entry (14) Open & cited
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