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Field Guide


Isely's Milkvetch

Isely's Milkvetch (Astragalus iselyi)
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Photo by Ava Brinkley; Ben Franklin
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Astragalus iselyi

NatureServe conservation status

Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1

Utah Wildlife Action Plan status

  • SGCN

External links


General information

Astragalus iselyi is currently known only from Grand and San Juan Counties of Utah. This species grows on the seleniferous and uranium rich soils of classic pinyon-juniper or desert shrub communities. Isley's milkvetch has bright white upright flowers and red stems with many ascending green leaflets, the whole plant seems to reach for the sun.

Description

Astragalus iselyi is an upright perennial species measuring 8- 25 (37) cm tall with red stems and Range of Isely's Milkvetch (Astragalus iselyi)

Threats or limiting factors

This plant seems to rely on a seed bank to survive and seen in no adults but seedilings observed in 2019 and witnessed by Fitts, 2019. Area subject to heavy grazing, some mining and recreation use, and ORV activities (USFWS 2009 citing Franklin 2003). The ongoing renewal of mining claims in the uranium rich habitat on which this plant grows is a concern (USFWS 2009).

Taxonomy

No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies