Pagumpa milkvetch

Description:

Astragalus ensiformis M.E.JonesMarch 27, 2004, Zion National Park, southwestern section of park, Washington Co., Utah. Known only from Washington Co., Utah, adjoining Mohave Co., Arizona and southeastern Nevada. Barneby recognized two varieties, var. ensiformis which diffuse or humifuse stems with a more limited distribution that did not include Nevada, and var. gracilior with assurgent stems and narrower and less pulpy pods. It was too early for any pod development at this time. Based on distribution, this would fall slightly closer to var gracilior than var. ensiformis if one were to follow Barneby, however, it isn't clear which stem type this would fall in as it seems to share characteristics of both, but perhaps mainly assurgent. . Welsh does not recognize varieties. Without knowing more, I will follow Welsh here.Phylogenetically this species is thought to be closest to A. cibarius.