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Plant Profile

Ash Meadows Milkvetch (Astragalus phoenix)

Astragalus phoenix in flower Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Threatened
Family: Fabaceae
State: NV
Nature Serve ID: 154059
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

A. phoenix is a long lived, perennial forb that develops into low spreading mounds that can reach 15 cm high and 50 cm in diameter. Flowers are pink-purple and leaves are covered in dense, white hairs. This species grows in the highly saline soils of desert wetlands in eastern Nevada. Population growth is constrained by low seed output per plant A. phoenix is visited by a bee (Anthophora porterae) that is likely a vital pollinator. Wind and water are probably the primary vectors for dispersal, but it has been observed that most of the seed produced does not disperse long-distances and remains within the leaves and branches of the parent plant.

Where is Ash Meadows Milkvetch (Astragalus phoenix) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Dry saline slopes in clay soils found in desert wetlands in Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Distribution:

Eastern portion of Ash Meadows in Nye Co. Nevada.

States & Provinces:

Ash Meadows Milkvetch can be found in Nevada

Which CPC Partners conserve Ash Meadows Milkvetch (Astragalus phoenix)?

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

California Botanic Garden

Not Sponsored

Assigned 11/22/22

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

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Highly restricted to a unique desert wetland habitat where the plants only grow in mineral-encrusted soil; never in disturbed areas. About 13 sites are known, all restricted to Ash Meadows, Clark County, Nevada.

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

Restriced range Groundwater pumping Agriculture Trampling by wild horses and livestock Off-road vehicle disturbance Invasive species Herbivory from rabbits

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

Low numbers of plants are scattered over the eastern portion of Ash Meadows in Nye Co., NV. Approximately 15,606 individuals within a 73 acre area. 12 element occurances are recorded.

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

Not Available

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

Semi-protected within the National Wildlife Refuge.

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

No ex-situ seed conservation has been conducted for this species.

Rita Dodge

01/01/2010

No ex-situ seed conservation has been conducted for this species. This is a high priority for USFWS.