Heliotrope Milkvetch / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Heliotrope Milkvetch (Astragalus montii)

The seed pods of this species are large relative to the rest of the plant, with red with tan spots. Photo Credit: Joyce Maschinski
  • Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Threatened
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • State: UT
  • Nature Serve ID: 131801
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/05/1993
Description:

Astragalus montii is a low-growing alpine herbaceous perennial. Its tiny, pinnately compound leaves are dwarfed by comparatively large, inflated pinkish-brown seed pods. Two to eight pink-purple flowers with white wing-tips form at the end of stems during the months of June to August. (Geer & Tepedino 1993) The species perches on chalky white outcrops in some of the most beautiful mountains in Utah, the Wasatch Plateau. Unfortunately, this region has active oil and gas exploration. This species was listed as Federally Threatened species in 1987 in order to ensure that adequate care would be taken to conserve the species and its habitat during any energy development activities. (USFWS 1987)

Where is Heliotrope Milkvetch (Astragalus montii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Astragalus montii occurs in a very limited habitat of shale barrens at the timberline, from 3050 to 3350 meters in elevation. (Cronquist et al. 1989)The subalpine communities where this species is found includes cushion plants and other scattered, low-growing species. Associates include Phlox pulvinata, Cymopterus lemmonii, Senecio canus, Hymenoxys acaulis, Astragalus kentrophyta, Eriogonum brevicaule, Erigeron ursinus, Potentilla ovina, Potentilla concinna and Arenaria rubella. (Tuhy 1996)

Distribution:

The species occurs in 3 populations within a total range of 8 miles across the Manti-LaSal National Forest in central Utah.

States & Provinces:

Heliotrope Milkvetch can be found in Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Heliotrope Milkvetch (Astragalus montii)?

  • The Arboretum at Flagstaff

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add
    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/13/17
    • 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

    • 08/26/2020
      • Reproductive Research

    Geer and Tepedino (1993) conducted a pollination study of this species and determined that these plants are dependent on mid- to large-size, energy-demanding bees for pollination. When the number of available flowers declines in a population these pollinators are likely to look for other sources of pollen and the plants must rely on self-fertilization and autogamy.

    • 08/26/2020
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    More cross-year collections are needed to assure good genetic representation from the 3 populations.

    • 08/26/2020
      • Seed Collection

    More cross-year collections are needed to assure good genetic representation from the 3 populations.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Endemic to the Wasatch Plateau of central Utah (Sanpete and Sevier counties), where there are 3 populations known. Restricted to a very specific habitat which is of limited extent, and threatened by trampling which disturbs the mineral soil where it grows.

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    Threats include: mineral exploration grazing animals oil and gas exploration drilling and production harshness of the alpine environment and fluctuations in climate levels of other competing plants (Geer and Tepedino 1993)

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    Known only from the southern Wasatch Plateau in Sanpete and Sevier Counties; estimate of 60,000 plants on White Mountain, estimate of 100,000 plants on the ridgecrest where Heliotrope Mountain merges into Ferron Mountain, and estimate of 40,000 plants on top of Heliotrope Mountain. (USFWS draft recovery plan 1995)

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    Geer and Tepedino (1993) conducted a pollination study of this species and determined that these plants are dependent on mid- to large-size, energy-demanding bees for pollination. When the number of available flowers declines in a population these pollinators are likely to look for other sources of pollen and the plants must rely on self-fertilization and autogamy.

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    In 1995 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a draft recovery plan for this species.

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    Further examination of population sizes is needed. Futher research into basic biology and habitat requirements of the species is needed.

    Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.
    • 01/01/2010

    More cross-year collections are needed to assure good genetic representation from the 3 populations.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Astragalus montii
    Authority Welsh
    Family Fabaceae
    CPC Number 448
    ITIS 25592
    USDA ASLIM
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names heliotrope milkvetch | Monti's milkvetch | heliotrope milk-vetch
    Associated Scientific Names Astragalus montii | Astragalus limnocharis var. montii
    Distribution The species occurs in 3 populations within a total range of 8 miles across the Manti-LaSal National Forest in central Utah.
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Utah S1
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    The seed pods of this species are large relative to the rest of the plant, with red with tan spots. Photo Credit: Joyce Maschinski

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