As outlined in the CPC and USFS Rare Plant Seed Banking Agreement, in June 2021, Maria Mullins completed a seed collection of Astragalus iodopetalus near Galina, New Mexico in Santa Fe National Forest. Maria observed between 50-100 individuals in fruit at this site and was able to collect seed from 50 maternal plants resulting in a collection of over 3,000 seeds. These seeds were divided and banked between the Institute for Applied Ecology and and the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, CO. 

As outlined in the CPC and USFS Rare Plant Seed Banking Agreement, in June 2021, Maria Mullins completed a seed collection of Astragalus iodopetalus near Galina, New Mexico in Santa Fe National Forest. Maria observed between 50-100 individuals in fruit at this site and was able to collect seed from 50 maternal plants resulting in a collection of over 3,000 seeds. These seeds were divided and banked between the Institute for Applied Ecology and and the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, CO. 

The Institute for Applied Ecology collected Astragalus iodopetalus in partnership with the Center for Plant Conservation and the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation. Most of this species’ range is in Colorado, but we were able to use historic data to locate two populations documented in New Mexico. This work, conducted throughout the summer of 2021, was funded by the USDA Forest Service. Several scouting trips were made to source populations within the northern reach of the Santa Fe National Forest in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Habitat for A. iodopetalus in New Mexico is mixed conifer woodland with breaks in the canopy cover and various understory species. Common associated species are Pinus ponderosa, Quercus gambelii, Juniperus scopulorum, Pseudotsuga menziesii. Bouteloua gracilis, Achnatherum hymenoides, Heterotheca villosa, and Yucca sp. Plants were often found along road banks within these habitats. To ensure we did not miss the window for seed collection at these remote collection sites we enclosed racemes with mesh bags after pollination. We learned ASIO does not exhibit ballistic seed dispersal, so deploying bags was not necessary. A total of 1074 seeds were collected on July 1, 2021 from 21 maternal plants within two populations. The bulk of both population’s plants were young seedlings, not producing seed in 2021, indicating the populations may be increasing. Part of the population located in the vicinity of Gallina Creek that extended into another drainage is subject to livestock use and at least 30 plants located on a scouting trip in June were presumably consumed by cattle. This species of Astragalus appears to benefit from some disturbance but is vulnerable to disturbance such as heavy erosion and grazing pressure.