"I made an important discovery on my hike yesterday. I think we've been looking at the wrong plant. The original one we looked at together, I kept seeing it everywhere, but I thought maybe the difference would be minute or in the flower or fruit. So, after consulting Doc's key, A. keleseyae does not have sheathing stipules. The plant that we have been looking at does, which could possibly be A. canadensis or A. miser.
On Sunday, after I made this discovery, I looked around and right away I saw it and noticed that it was very distinct. It is lighter in color and has distinct stipules. It is also in flower right now! A bit earlier than I made note of in the key, but that could be due to this year's weather. For whatever reason, I have not seen this plant until yesterday and I still need to take a hand lens to the hairs on it, but I think this new one is the actual A. keleseyae.
I have attached photos of both plants and their stipules. I saw some potential pollinators while hiking, big bumble bees with a red stripes, smaller dark bees, dark bumble bee, and a white butterfly. On this hike, I went to the top of the trail. On my way back down I saw a guy shuffling his way through some potential habitat, higher up in elevation. I also saw what might be goat fur lower down on the trail before the Hidden Canyon turnoff.
I was able to find some photos online, surprisingly. No literature though."
A. keleseyae
Flowers
Trail is beginning to look green.
Possible goat fur?
View of habitat from above population.
A. keleseyae stipules.
Other Astragalus species stipules.
Lucy, my trusty research assistant.
View from the top of the trail. Beauty!
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