Search / Plant Profile / Astragalus debequaeus

Plant Profile

DeBeque Milkvetch (Astragalus debequaeus)

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Fabaceae
State: CO
Nature Serve ID: 151992
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

Plants are clump-forming perennials 2 to 10 decimeters (8 to 39 inches (in.) in diameter with a woody taproot; stems 14 to 30 centimeters (cm) (5.5 to 12 in.) long, curving upward; compound leaves 2 to 10 cm (0.8 to 4 in.) long with 13 to 21 glabrous, flat or somewhat folded leaflets. Flowers are white, upright, and 17 to 21 millimeters (mm) (0.6 to 0.8 in.) long. Pods are ascending, 15 to 23 mm (0.5 to 1 in.) long, 6 to 11 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in.) thick, and inflated with minute rough hairs that become smooth with age (Welsh 1985, p. 31). Astragalus debequaeus has only been identified as a separate taxonomic entity for about 20 years, which represents about two generations (Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) 2005, p. 60). The species was discovered and described as a new species in 1984 by Dr. Stanley Welsh of Brigham Young University. Astragalus debequaeus is recognized as a species in the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide (Spackman et al.1997b, p. 7); Integrated Taxonomic Information System (2007); NatureServe (2006); and Weber and Wittmann (1992, pp. 3, 42; 2001, p. 181).

Where is DeBeque Milkvetch (Astragalus debequaeus) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Astragalus debequaeus plants are found on the fine-textured, sandy claysoils of the Atwell Gulch Member of the Wasatch Formation that are relativelybarren, varicolored, seleniferous, and saline (Welsh 1985, p. 31).

Distribution:

Astragalus debequaeus habitat is found between 1,508 and 1,981 meters (4,970 and 6,500 feet) elevation in Mesa and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The species is known from 17 occurrences that occupy abo

States & Provinces:

DeBeque Milkvetch can be found in Colorado

Which CPC Partners conserve DeBeque Milkvetch (Astragalus debequaeus)?

Denver Botanic Gardens

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

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

08/25/2020

Seed storage and collection.

08/25/2020

Seed storage and collection

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Known only from the Colorado River Valley near the town of DeBeque, Colorado. There are 16 occurrences. Primary threats include disturbance from oil and gas development, the spread of exotic plant species, trampling by grazing animals, and recreation.

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

Traditional oil and gas development, (2) oil-shale mining, (3)coalbed methane development and/or coal mining, (4) noxious weeds and seeding, (5) existing and projected roads, (6) livestock trampling, (7) off road vehicle (ORV) use, and (8) increased housi

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

The total estimated number of plants at all seventeen occurrences is at least 64,617 (CNHP 2006, p. 2; Lincoln and Bridgman 2006, p.1).

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

Unknown

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

The species is managed as a Sensitive Species by BLM, as designated by the BLM State Director, with special management consideration.

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

Unknown

Welsh, Mary VB Goshorn

01/01/2010

Seed storage and collection