D. History of knowledge of taxon— A. scaphoides was first collected 

 by Frank Tweedy in 1888 in Beaverhead Co., Montana in the low 

 mountains north of what is now Clark Canyon Reservoir. 



E. Comments or current alternative taxonomic treatments— There are 

 no recent alternative taxonomic treatments. 



2. Present legal or other formal status 



A. International --None. 



B. National—No current federal status. 



C. State 



1. Idaho—Listed as proposed Federal Watch List (Steele et al . 

 1981). 



2. Montana— Listed as proposed state threatened (Lesica et al . 

 1934). 



3. Description 



A. General nontechnical description— Astragalus scaphoides is a fairly 

 robust perennial forb about 1-2 feet high. The leaves are pinnate, 

 clustered at the base and scattered along the stem, and 4-8 inches 

 long. The flowers are light yellow, about an inch long, and fairly 

 showy. They are borne in tight clusters of 15-30 on stalks 2-4 

 inches long originating in the axils of upper leaves. The flowers 

 are spreading or slightly nodding, and as they mature the cluster 

 opens up. The fruits are almost cylindric, sharply pointed, and 

 about an inch long. They are held erect and away from the stem, 

 resembling a candelabra. Their color is light green, often with a 

 deep reddish cast. Most plants bloom in June and mature fruit in 

 the latter part of July. 



