Astragalus sempervirens

This Astragalus, endemic to the Alps, could also be identified by touch alone: the rachis that bears the leaves, when these are lost, lignifies, taking on the appearance of extremely prickly thorns. The spiny talus grows in arid environments and forms dense pads with creeping stems. The flowers are predominantly whitish in colour, sometimes tending to light pink. In the Park it is only common in the Cogne Valley.