Astragalus strictus

Astragalus strictus Grah. ex Benth. (syn: Astragalus ladakensis Balakr.; Astragalus strictus f. albiflorus Y.H.Wu; Astragalus strictus var. emarginatus Y.H.Wu; Tragacantha stricta (Benth.) Kuntze);
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China (Qinghai, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Sichuan), Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Pakistani Kashmir (Baltistan, Hunza), Jammu & Kashmir (Kashmir, Ladakh, Rupshu), N-India (Sylhet, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh) as per Catalogue of Life;
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Tap-rooted perennial. stems prostrate or ascending up to 15cm, appressed white pubescent. Leaves 2-4cm, leaflets 13-19, elliptic 4-6 x 2-2.5mm, obtuse or acute, base cuneate, glabrous or bearing a few hairs at margins above, appresed white pubescent beneath, stipuleslanceolate, 4-5mm. Racemes short, dense, 10-30 flowered on pedunclfes 2.5mm. Calyx tube 3-3.5mm, teeth narrowly lanceolate 2-2.5mm, appressed black pubescent. Petals pale purple or mauve, 7-8mm, standard obovate 5mm, broad, emarginate , wings oblong, blade 5*1.5mm, keel lunate 4.5*2mm. Pods oblong 6mm, some what recurved, basal stalk ± as long as calyx tube 6-8 seeded.

Fl. May-June
On open flat ground
(Attributions- A.C.J Grierson & D.G Long. Flora of Bhutan. Published by RBGE. 1987 from Bhutan Biodiversity Portal)
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Fwd: Astragalus ?strictus – new to efi : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (3)
3 images taken by the Late Krishan Lal on Sarchu plain on the border between Lahaul and Ladakh.
I understand this was identified by an Astragalus specialist but given this is such a large and difficult genus, cannot verify this name without undertaking a close inspection – which would take a long time devoted just to this task.  This is not possible for me at present.
Flowers of the Himalaya describe this species but does not illustrate it – nor does the Supplement. The authors say open slopes, rocks @ 2100-5000m from Pakistan to E.Nepal.  Common.
Stewart says A.strictus Grah. ex Bth. occurs in Baltistan, Nubra, Hunza, Ladakh (incl. Rupshu – where Sarchu is found).
Flora of Lahaul-Spiti gives A.strictus as a synonym of Astragalus ladakhensis Balak – common on moist-shady slopes and along agricultural fields at Jispa…..
Without a COMPLETE revision of the genus in the Himalaya it is not possible to meaningfully claim NEW species in the region.
The Plant List has A.ladakhensis Rao & Balodi (NOT Balak) as an unresolved named.
Further confusion.
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Seen this Herb at “Chusul” Ladakh near a water stream in deserted land.
Bot. name: Astragalus confertus
Family: Fabaceae.

I feel it may also be Astragalus strictus Grah. ex Benth., as per discussions at Astragalus 070722 JM1

Yes. you are right.

To me it looks more like Astragalus strictus.

Seen this Oxytropis sp. (Herb) near Pangong lake, ladakh.
(Atitude: 14200 ft approx).
Family: Fabaceae…
Date/Time: 21-06-2016 / 07:00am..

Oxytropisspecies so far in efi

As mentioned for a previous inquiry, Oxytropis is a large genus; some of the species in Ladakh are difficult to identify/distinguish.
One has to inspect Oxytropis carefully, as Stewart lists 10 species from Ladakh, whilst Klimes & Dickore have 14 in their more up-todate checklist incl. a hybrid between O.microphylla and O.chiliophylla!  It is a very large genus indeed.
Sometimes not easy to distinguish between Oxytropis and Astragalus.
I do not initially have any suggestions which species … photographed at Pangong Lake.
Hopefully, others can help?

Appears close to images at Oxytropis cachemiriana Cambess.


I guess does not match with suggested both. Could it be Oxytropis arenae-ripariae Vassilcz. though endemic to Nepal ?
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To me appears similar to those posted at Astragalus 070722 JM1
I feel more closer to Astragalus confertus Benth. ex Bunge as per GBIF specimen

To me appears similar to those posted at Astragalus 070722 JM1, identified as Astragalus strictus Grah. ex Benth.

Yes, agree

Yes!

Certainly not Oxytropis cachemiriana (is densely villous and has sharp tips of leaflets). Most likely Astragalus strictus, very common in SE Ladakh.

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Seen this Oxytropis sp. (Herb) near Pangong lake, ladakh.
(Atitude: 14200 ft approx).
Family: Fabaceae…
Date/Time: 21-06-2016 / 06:40am..

Oxytropisspecies so far in efi

As mentioned for a previous inquiry, Oxytropis is a large genus; some of the species in Ladakh are difficult to identify/distinguish.
One has to inspect Oxytropis carefully, as Stewart lists 10 species from Ladakh, whilst Klimes & Dickore have 14 in their more up-todate checklist incl. a hybrid between O.microphylla and O.chiliophylla!  It is a very large genus indeed.
Sometimes not easy to distinguish between Oxytropis and Astragalus.
I do not initially have any suggestions which species … photographed at Pangong Lake growing amongst Potentilla bifurca.
Hopefully, others can help?

I think appears close to images at Oxytropis cachemiriana Cambess.

Oxytropis chiliophylla Benth. ??

Looks different from Oxytropis chiliophylla as per
plantarium
https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/1078008-Oxytropis-chiliophylla
innerpath

This species probably be Oxytropis macrophylla as resembling to that. Confirmation required from other sources. This is mostly common species in Ladakh.


I am not sure about O. chiliophylla but does not look like O.microphylla. Did not find O. macrophylla.
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To me appears similar to those posted at Astragalus 070722 JM1
I feel more closer to Astragalus confertus Benth. ex Bunge as per GBIF specimen

To me appears similar to those posted at Astragalus 070722 JM1, identified as Astragalus strictus Grah. ex Benth.

Agree

you are right.

Here I am not sure. At first glance it looks like Astragalus strictus, but I was also thinking of Oxytropis hypoglottoides. Not helpful, sorry.


Astragalus strictus: 1 image.
On way from Pangong Tso (14000 ft) to Chang La (17600 ft) in 18.6.22 in Ladakh.

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Astragalus 070722 JM1: 4 images.
From Changla pass (17600 ft) to Pangong (14000 ft.) on 17.6.22, in Ladakh.

To me appears close to Astragalus confertus Benth. ex Bunge as per GBIF specimen.
Kindly confirm or otherwise pl.

This species is quite prominent in that region and this is most probably Astragalus confertus Benth ex. Bunge which you said. In absence of an old sample I can’t confirm because there are other certain Fabaceae members in that region which creates confusion in pictures. But I strongly agree with your assumption.

This is Astragalus strictus.

It may be Astragalus strictus.

I guess you are right


Attaching high res. images.
4 high res. images.


Astragalus strictus 2: 8 images- 5 high res.
From Changla pass (17600 ft) to Pangong (14000 ft.) on 17.6.22, in Ladakh.

Oxytropis microphylla (Pall.) DC. ??

Leaves are different in O.microphylla.

Oxytropis pusilla Bunge

No, leaves are different as per
https://efloraofindia.com/2012/07/29/oxytropis-pusilla/
http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=116960&flora_id=2
https://www.flowersofindia.Tiny%20Locoweed.html
My id is correct.

https://efloraofindia.com/species/a—l/f/fabaceae/oxytropis/oxytropis-pusilla

Thanks. But different. Leaves also matter.

OK …, but leaf texture may vary according to season.

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Astraglus strictus (4): 5 images- 2 high res.
Taken on the way to Nubra valley (10000 ft.) from Khardung La (17800 ft.) on 16.6.22.


Ladakh, August 2022 :: Astragalus strictus for validation :: ARK2022-172: (Mixed thread): 2 high res. images.
This was en route Chang la from Pangong tso, Ladakh in August 2022.
Another set a couple of steps away

Any idea what the second set might be?

Please check Oxytropis pauciflora Bunge and Oxytropis chiliophylla Benth. !

For me, 2nd set id seems to be correct as Astragalus strictus

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References:
Catalogue of Life  The Plant List Ver.1.1  ILDIS  Flora of China  Flora of Pakistan  Annotated checklist of Flowering plants of Nepal Tropicos  India Biodiversity Portal  Bhutan Biodiversity Portal

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