Horseshoe Milkvetch
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Astragalus equisolensis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5T2?
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Astragalus equisolensis is known from disjunct populations occurring on river terrances of the Horseshoe Bend of area of the Green River in Uintah County, Utah and on the lower Dolores River in Mesa County, Colorado where it grows in sagebrush, shadscale, horsebrush and other mixed shrub communities. Horseshoe Milkvetch is a low growing plant with varying shades of pink-purple flowers that bloom upright above the ground level leaves. Later in the flowering season, this species produces curved half moon fruit pods that are covered in shaggy white hairs.
Description
Astragalus equisolensis is known from disjunct populations occurring on river terrances of the Horseshoe Bend of area of the Green River in Uintah County, Utah and on the lower Dolores River in Mesa County, Colorado where it grows in sagebrush, shadscale, horsebrush and other mixed shrub communities. Horseshoe Milkvetch is a low growing plant with varying shades of pink-purple flowers that bloom upright above the ground level leaves. Later in the flowering season, this species produces curved half moon fruit pods that are covered in shaggy white hairs.
Phenology
Flowers between April and June.
Diagnostic characteristics
Within its narrow region in Utah, Astragalus equisolensis is easily recognized by its ground-hugging leaves, low growth habit, upright pink-purple flowers, and wooly moon shaped fruits.
Astragalus equisolensis is sometimes regarded as Astragalus desperatus var. neeseae.
Species range
Found in Uintah County, Utah and Mesa County, Colorado.
Threats or limiting factors
Threats include invasive plant species, grazing, drought, energy development and road maintenance.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies