Astragalus tibetanus Benth. ex Bunge, Astrag. 1:52. 1868. 2:85.l869; Baker in Hook.f.,Fl.Brit.Ind.2:124.1876; Gontscharov & Borissova in Komarov, Fl. U.R.S.S. 12:258.1946; Ali in Biologia 7:43.1961.
Perennial, 4-35 cm tall, stem ascending to suberect, pubescent, hairs black and white. Leaves imparipinnately compound, 3-11 cm long, leaflets 17-29, c. 5-18 mm long, oblong-elliptic to oblong, obtuse or slightly retuse, pubescent on both sides; stipules free, small, lanceolate or deltoid. Inflorescence an axillary pedunculate raceme, peduncle c. 2.5-10 cm long, pubescent. Bracts shorter than calyx, pubescent. Pedicel c. 1-2 mm long. Calyx c. 7-10 mm long, pubescent, hairs black, teeth c. 1-3 mm long. Corolla azure-violet. Vexillum c. 16-22 mm long, grooved dorsally, pubescent, hairs black or black and white, bilocular, 6-10-seeded; stipe c. 24 mm long.
Fl.Per.: July-September.
Lectotype: Tibet occ., 9000-14000 ft., Thomson (K,P).
Distribution: Pakistan, Kashmir; Afghanistan; Russia, (Irtysh, Altai, Dzungaro-Tarbagatai, Pamir Alai, Tien Shan).
A variable species.
