Utah sweet-vetch (Hedysarum boreale, Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 110 (1818))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Nutt.

Bibliography: Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 2: 110 (1818)

Year: 1818

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hedysarum

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Russian Far East to W. & C. U.S.A.

Description

Utah sweet-vetch, known scientifically as Hedysarum boreale, belongs to the Fabaceae family. This resilient and adaptable plant has a broad distribution, spanning from the Northern Russian Far East to the western and central regions of the United States. The species owes its formal classification to the early 19th-century work documented in “Gen. N. Amer. Pl.,” penned by Nuttall in 1818.

Hedysarum boreale thrives in a variety of climatic conditions, which is evident from its extensive geographical range. This plant is particularly valued for its ecological benefits, including nitrogen fixation that enriches the soil, making it an excellent choice for land reclamation and habitat restoration projects.

The Utah sweet-vetch is recognizable by its vibrant clusters of flowers and intricate foliage, which add aesthetic value to natural landscapes. Its adaptability and environmental contributions make it an important species within its native habitats, supporting local ecosystems and promoting biodiversity.

Common Names

Eng: northern sweet-vetch, northern sweetvetch, utah sweet-vetch, utah sweetvetch, northern hedysarum, boreal hedysarum, boreal sweet-vetch
Fra: sainfoin boréal
En: Utah sweet-vetch, Northern sweet-vetch, Utah sweetvetch, Northern hedysarum, BOREAL SWEET-VETCH, NORTHERN SWEETVETCH, SWEETVETCH, Boreal hedysarum
Fr: Sainfoin boréal

Synonyms

• Hedysarum boreale var. typicum (Rollins)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Utah (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by G Amelie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by David Dodge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Birdy Loughlin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by David Dodge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2019 by T Trista (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2960863)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:497525-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hedysarum boreale Nutt.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Crown

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 5.2