Paradox Milkvetch
Astragalus holmgreniorum
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Astragalus holmgreniorum is a federally listed as endangered species that is known from Washington County, Utah, and adjacent Mohave County, Arizona where it grows in warm desert shrub communities. Paradox Milkvetch is a striking species with upright purple pink flowers which have white tips and blue-greenish leaves that grow flatly along the red soils where they are found.
Description
Astragalus holmgreniorum is a federally listed as endangered species that is known from Washington County, Utah, and adjacent Mohave County, Arizona where it grows in warm desert shrub communities. Paradox Milkvetch is a striking species with upright purple pink flowers which have white tips and blue-greenish leaves that grow flatly along the red soils where they are found.
Phenology
Flowers in April and May.
Diagnostic characteristics
Within its range, A. holmgreniorum may be confused with A. mollissimus. A. holmgreniorum's leaflets are largely hairless above, while A. mollissimus leaflets are wooly on both sides.
Species range
A Virgin-Mohave endemic, found in Washington County, Utah and Mohave County, Arizona.
Threats or limiting factors
Habitat loss due to development is a primary threat to this species (USFWS 2021). Threatened by highway and power line construction, urban development, recreation, grazing and displacement by introduce plants (Harper 1997, Stubben 1997, USFWS 2000, USFWS 2021). Several populations are in decline due to impacts from threats acting on these species singly or in combination (Van Buren et al. 2016, Searle and Meyer 2020, USFWS 2021) Significant portions of the habitat of this species are subject to disturbance from these threats (USFWS USFWS 2000).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies