Kremmling Osterhout milkvetch

The Kremmling Osterhout milkvetch is a non-woody (herbaceous) plant species in the pea family (Fabaceae). It has many slender and erect stems that grow to, on average, 12 to 40 inches tall. Its leaves are made up of many narrow leaflets, each up to 1 1/2 inches long. In summer, the Kremmling Osterhout milkvetch's creamy white flowers bloom, hang-ing along the end of each flowering stalk. In fall, its long, green fruits often turn maroon red when mature. Though distinctive, the Kremmling Osterhout milkvetch may be confused with other milkvetch species in the area. The Osterhout milkvetch is restricted to badlands of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara and Pierre Shales and of late Tertiary (Miocene Troublesome Formation) siltstone sediments. The Osterhout milkvetch was listed as endangered on July 13, 1989 (54 FR 29658).