Astragalus musiniensis
| Astragalus musiniensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Astragalus musiniensis in flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. musiniensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus musiniensis M.E.Jones | |
Astragalus musiniensis, commonly known as Ferron's milkvetch, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to the western United States, where it occurs in central and southern Utah and western Colorado.[2][1]
Description
Astragalus musiniensis is a perennial, acaulescent (stemless) herb typically 3 to 13 cm tall. The leaves are pinnate, up to 13 cm long, with 1 to 5 stiff-haired leaflets. The flowers are pink and relatively large, measuring approximately 20–28 mm in length.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Astragalus musiniensis is endemic to the western United States, where it occurs in central and south-central Utah and adjacent western Colorado.[2][1]
It grows in desert and semi-desert habitats, including salt desert shrub, mixed desert shrub, and pinyon–juniper woodlands, typically on fine-textured substrates such as shale, sandstone, and alluvium at elevations of approximately 1,400 to 2,400 m.[3][1]
Ecology
The species flowers from late April to early June.[1] It is adapted to arid environments of the Colorado Plateau and is commonly found in open shrubland and woodland communities.[3]
Conservation
Astragalus musiniensis is ranked as vulnerable (G3) by NatureServe, indicating a moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range and limited number of populations.[1] It is known from approximately 20 to 80 occurrences across its range.[1]
The species faces a variety of potential threats, including grazing, energy development, road construction, invasive species, off-road vehicle use, wildfire, and long-term drought associated with climate change.[1] Many populations occur on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies, though long-term trends remain poorly understood.[1]
It is considered critically imperiled (S1) in Colorado and vulnerable (S3) in Utah.[1]
Taxonomy
The species was first described by Marcus E. Jones in 1895.[2]
A homotypic synonym, Xylophacos musiniensis, has been published, reflecting historical taxonomic treatments within the genus.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Astragalus musiniensis". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Astragalus musiniensis M.E.Jones". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Ferron's milkvetch (Astragalus musiniensis)". U.S. Forest Service Plant of the Week. Retrieved 26 March 2026.