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Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae. The hillsides were stained with the pink-purple color of this species for several miles which were particularly vibrant as the sun was setting (it was shortly after 8PM when this picture was taken). Some of the other forbs here include Astragalus geyeri and Townsendia incana. Absent mature fruits (pods), this can be a difficult genus to in which to make plant identifications. The flower color of this species seems to be fairly consistent but among the many other characters to consider, the scapose peduncles is what convinced me of this ID compared to several other possibilities, and in light of the lack of mature pods. The pilose hairs on the forming pods are consistent with this diagnosis.These were more robust plants that I have seen compared to plants of this taxon in other parts of the state, plus they were in bloom later than expected: normally this species is among the earliest to bloom. The combination of the higher elevation plus the fact that 2011 was a "late" (delayed spring due to colder and temporarily wetter weather) is perhaps why these were in full bloom on this date in late May. They usually aren't seen growing this dense together either.May 28, 2011, Duchesne County, Utah, approx, 5,540 ft. elev.
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Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae in early anthesis.March 21, 2009, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Wash, Wayne County, Utah elev. about 5390 ft.
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Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae. Note the pilose hairs on the forming pods. The banners are somewhat recurved. The scapose peduncles are also a key character. The pink-purple flower color seems to be quite consistent within this species. The lighting due to the setting sun caused the flower color to be more vibrant than is typically seen, although it could also be that there is an ecotype in the Uinta Basin that is somewhat different since the plants seem to display some other characteristics that differ somewhat as well.May 28, 2011, Duchesne County, Utah, approx, 5,540 ft. elev.
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Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae in early anthesis.March 21, 2009, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Wash, Wayne County, Utah elev. about 5375 ft.
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Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae ("thompsonae" is an orthographic variant due to ICBN changes) in early anthesis. The plant is named in honor of John Wesley Powell's wife, Ellen Thompson, who collected plants in the Kanab, Utah area in 1872 (which is where the type for this taxon came from). Park Service employees were indicating that plants were not yet in bloom on this date, but things have a way of quickly changing on the ground, and this was one of about a half-dozen species that were found in flower in this area on this date. And this was the only species where there were more than just a few plants in flower. Typically this is one of the earlier flowering species. Solitary scattered plants are most often encountered. March 21, 2009, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Wash, Wayne County, Utah elev. about 5400 ft.
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