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Plant Profile

Goose Creek Milkvetch (Astragalus anserinus)

Photo Credit: Jody Fraser, USFWS

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Fabaceae
State: ID, NV, UT
Nature Serve ID: 146621
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

A. anserinus is a matt forming forb known to grow only on soils formed from ancient volcanic tuff. As one of the few species to populate these barren tuffaceaous outcrops, it assists with soil stabilization. In spring this plant will display bright pink - purple flowers on the backdrop of the soft, gray pubescent leaves. Red curved seed pods form in early June-July. This species certainly does not consider political boundaries when choosing its habitat, as it occurs in the tri-state corners of Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. This species is a candidate for listing on the Federal Endangered species list. It has a Global ranking of G2; S1(Idaho and Utah).

Where is Goose Creek Milkvetch (Astragalus anserinus) located in the wild?

Habitat:

White tuffaceous outcrops in sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and juniper communities at 5,000-5,220 feet.

Distribution:

A 20 mile long and 4 mile wide stretch of the Goose Creek drainage in Southwest Idaho, northeast Nevada, and Northwest Utah.

States & Provinces:

Goose Creek Milkvetch can be found in Idaho, Nevada, Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Goose Creek Milkvetch (Astragalus anserinus)?

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program

Not Sponsored

Assigned 08/06/19

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Tina Stanley

01/08/2024

In 2013, Red Butte Garden staff made 7 wild seed collections representing just over 200 seeds from 22 individuals of Astragalus anserinus. These seeds are held in long term storage at Red Butte Garden.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Astragalus anserinus is restricted to fairly specific small habitat patches (averaging about 3 ha) that are uncommon along a small portion of the Goose Creek drainage, near the corners of northeastern Nevada/northwestern Utah and adjacent southern Idaho. About 15 occurrences with good viability exist within this range, and most are increasingly invaded by cheatgrass, leafy spurge, and other exotic plant species.

Rita Dodge and Sarah Kulpa

01/01/2010

Altered wildfire regime Wildfire response and restoration activities Diminished recruitment activity due to: Increased wildfires Invasive species Livestock trampling Habitat degradation Development

Rita Dodge and Sarah Kulpa

01/01/2010

Idaho 11,000 individuals Nevada 5,052 individuals Utah 7,617 individuals

Rita Dodge and Sarah Kulpa

01/01/2010

Occurs on federally owned US Forest Service and BLM and private property.

Rita Dodge and Sarah Kulpa

01/01/2010

Specific pollinators are unknown. Management of an ex-situ seed collection is a high priority for the management of this species.