Lesser Rushy Milkvetch: A Colorado Native Worth Knowing About
Meet the lesser rushy milkvetch (Astragalus convallarius var. scopulorum), a perennial native plant that calls Colorado home. While this particular variety might not be the showiest plant in your garden center, it represents something special in the world of native gardening – a truly local treasure that’s perfectly adapted to its Colorado habitat.
What Makes Lesser Rushy Milkvetch Special?
This perennial belongs to the diverse Astragalus genus, commonly known as milkvetches or locoweeds. As a native plant species found exclusively in Colorado, the lesser rushy milkvetch has evolved over thousands of years to thrive in the unique conditions of the Centennial State. Its botanical name, Astragalus convallarius var. scopulorum, hints at its rocky, mountainous preferences – scopulorum means of the rocks in Latin.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
The lesser rushy milkvetch is endemic to Colorado, meaning it grows naturally nowhere else in the world. This makes it a truly special addition to any Colorado native garden, as you’d literally be growing a plant that can’t be found growing wild anywhere else on Earth.
Should You Grow Lesser Rushy Milkvetch?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While the idea of growing such a unique Colorado native is appealing, there’s limited information available about cultivating this particular variety. This scarcity of cultivation information often indicates that a plant is either very rare in the wild, extremely difficult to grow outside its natural habitat, or simply hasn’t been widely studied or propagated.
The Challenges and Considerations
If you’re considering adding lesser rushy milkvetch to your garden, here are some important points to consider:
- Limited availability: You’re unlikely to find this plant at your local nursery
- Unknown growing requirements: Specific care instructions aren’t well documented
- Potential rarity: The lack of cultivation information may indicate this variety is rare in nature
- Responsible sourcing: If you do locate seeds or plants, ensure they’re ethically and legally obtained
What We Do Know
As a member of the Astragalus family, lesser rushy milkvetch likely shares some characteristics with its better-known relatives:
- Perennial growth habit, meaning it comes back year after year
- Probable attraction to native pollinators, particularly bees
- Adaptation to Colorado’s challenging growing conditions
- Likely preference for well-draining soils and full sun
Alternative Native Options
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing Colorado milkvetches but can’t locate the lesser rushy variety, consider these more readily available native Astragalus species:
- Ground plum (Astragalus crassicarpus)
- Purple milkvetch (Astragalus agrestis)
- Drummond’s milkvetch (Astragalus drummondii)
The Bigger Picture
Plants like lesser rushy milkvetch remind us why preserving native plant habitats is so important. These highly specialized species often have very specific growing requirements and may play crucial but little-understood roles in their ecosystems. While we might not be able to easily grow them in our gardens, we can appreciate and protect the wild places where they thrive.
If you’re passionate about Colorado natives and determined to grow lesser rushy milkvetch, your best bet is to connect with local native plant societies, botanical gardens, or university extension programs. They may have more specific information about this elusive variety or can point you toward similar species that are more garden-friendly.
Remember, sometimes the most valuable native plants are the ones we admire in their natural settings rather than trying to transplant to our yards. Consider taking a hiking trip to appreciate lesser rushy milkvetch in its natural Colorado habitat – it might be even more rewarding than growing it at home!
