Astragalus molybdenus

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Astragalus molybdenus
Astragalus molybdenus.jpg
Status TNC G3.svg
Vulnerable  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Astragalus
Species:
A. molybdenus
Binomial name
Astragalus molybdenus
Varieties [2]
  • Astragalus molybdenus var. lackschewitzii (Lavin & H.Marriott) S.L.Welsh
  • Astragalus molybdenus var. molybdenus
  • Astragalus molybdenus var. shultziorum (Barneby) S.L.Welsh

Astragalus molybdenus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Leadville milkvetch and molybdenum milkvetch. It is endemic to Colorado in the United States. If the separate species Astragalus shultziorum and Astragalus lackschewitzii are included in A. molybdenum the range expands into Wyoming and Montana. [1] [3] [4]

Contents

Description

This species is a small perennial herb growing from a taproot and underground branching caudex unit. Underground stem branches may root and sprout up as new plants, so what appear to be two separate plants may actually be one individual sprouting up twice. This underground stem has sometimes been called a rhizome, or at least rhizome-like. The herbage is coated in hairs, making it look ashy or silvery. The leaves are compound, made up of up to 25 leaflets which may be folded. The flowers are purple, pinkish purple, or purple-striped white. Flowering occurs in late June through early August. The fruit is a legume pod up to a centimeter long. It has a single chamber holding the seeds. [3]

Taxonomy

This plant species was originally described as Astragalus plumbeus by Rupert Charles Barneby, [2] as the plant is grayish in color and it was first collected near Leadville, Colorado. [3] This name was already taken by an Asian species, Astragalus plumbeus , so the name was changed to A. molybdenus. Molybdenum is also grayish in color and is mined near Leadville. [3]

The botanist Stanley Larson Welsh published a paper in 1998 that synonymized the species Astragalus shultziorum with A. molybdenus as a variety. [5] In 2007 Matt Lavin and Hollis Marriott published a description that did the same to Astragalus lackschewitzii. [6]

As of 2024 Plants of the World Online considers these newer combinations to be correct. [2] However, NatureServe continues to list Astragalus lackschewitzii as a separate species. [1] [7]

Habitat

This plant grows in the alpine tundra of the Rocky Mountains. Sometimes it occurs in subalpine zones. Most occurrences are at 3600 to 4000 meters in elevation. It grows mainly on calcareous soils such as broken limestone. It may grow on loose scree, its branching underground parts helping to stabilize it in the substrate. It grows in sparse or heavy vegetation and in dry to moist areas. It often grows in spots where there is snow most or all of the year. [3] Associated plant species include Claytonia megarhiza , Kobresia sp., Oxyria digyna , and Silene acaulis . [1]

Threats to this species include mining, recreational activities such as hiking and off-road vehicle use, and global climate change. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Astragalus</i> (plant) Genus of legumes

Astragalus is a large genus of over 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch, locoweed and goat's-thorn. Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but they are more vine-like than Astragalus.

<i>Astragalus alpinus</i> Species of milkvetch

Astragalus alpinus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name alpine milkvetch. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring throughout the upper latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

<i>Lathyrus lanszwertii</i> Species of plant in the pea family

Lathyrus lanszwertii is a species of sweet pea known by the common names Nevada sweet pea or peavine. It is found in western North America from California to Texas to British Columbia. It is a tender vining perennial which bears lavender, fuchsia, or white pea flowers, and pods containing inedible peas.

<i>Psorothamnus</i> Genus of legumes

Psorothamnus is a genus of plants in the legume family. These are shrubs and small trees. Many are known by the general common name indigo bush. Some are referred to as daleas, as this genus was once included in genus Dalea. These are generally thorny, thickly branched, strongly scented bushes. Most species bear lupinlike raceme inflorescences of bright purple legume flowers and gland-rich pods. Psorothamnus species are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus is paraphyletic and it has been proposed that the genus Psorodendron be reinstated to accommodate sections Xylodalea, Capnodendron, and Winnemucca.

<i>Astragalus lentiginosus</i> Species of flowering plant in the milkvetch genus

Astragalus lentiginosus Astragalus lentiginosus is a species of legume native to western North America where it grows in a range of habitats. Common names include spotted locoweed and freckled milkvetch. There are a great number of wild varieties. The flower and the fruit of an individual plant are generally needed to identify the specific variety.

Astragalus anxius is a rare species of milkvetch known by the common names troubled milkvetch and Ash Valley milkvetch. It is endemic to northern Lassen County, California, where it is critically imperiled. It was formally described in 1992.

<i>Astragalus kentrophyta</i> Species of flowering plant in the milkvetch genus

Astragalus kentrophyta is a species of milkvetch known by the common name spiny milkvetch. It is native to western North America from central to west Canada, to California, to New Mexico. It grows in rocky mountainous areas, such as the Sierra Nevada, and on plateaus.

<i>Astragalus oophorus</i> Species of legume

Astragalus oophorus is a species of milkvetch known by the common name egg milkvetch. It is native to the western United States, mainly California and Nevada, though one variety can be found as far east as Colorado. It is a plant of sagebrush and other dry habitat.

Astragalus lentiginosus var. pseudiodanthus, synonym Astragalus pseudiodanthus, is a variety of the species Astragalus lentiginosus, a milkvetch. It is known by the common name Tonopah milkvetch. It is native to the Great Basin deserts of Nevada and eastern California, such as the Tonopah area, where it grows in sandy habitat.

<i>Astragalus purshii</i> Species of legume

Astragalus purshii is a species of milkvetch known by the common names woollypod milkvetch and Pursh's milkvetch.

<i>Astragalus missouriensis</i> Species of legume

Astragalus missouriensis is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Missouri milkvetch. It is native to central North America, where it is common and widespread.

<i>Astragalus barrii</i> Species of legume

Astragalus barrii is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Barr's milkvetch. It is native to the United States, where it is a "regional endemic", occurring in parts of southwestern South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming, southeastern Montana, and Nebraska.

Astragalus leptaleus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name park milkvetch. It is native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States, where it occurs in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

<i>Astragalus proximus</i> Species of flowering plant in the pea family

Astragalus proximus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Aztec milkvetch. It is native to southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in the United States.

<i>Astragalus ripleyi</i> Species of legume

Astragalus ripleyi is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Ripley's milkvetch. It is native to southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in the United States.

<i>Astragalus lentiginosus <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> iodanthus</i> Species of legume

Astragalus lentiginosus var. iodanthus, synonym Astragalus iodanthus, is a variety of Astragalus lentiginosus, a flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is known by the common names Humboldt River milkvetch and violet milkvetch. It is native to the western United States, where its range includes California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. It grows on hills and in valleys in barren sandy and volcanic soils in habitat such as sagebrush.

Astragalus lentiginosus var. bryantii, synonym Astragalus bryantii, is a variety of Astragalus lentiginosus, a milkvetch in the family Fabaceae.

<i>Astragalus utahensis</i> Species of legume

Astragalus utahensis, commonly called the Utah milkvetch, is a species of plant in the legume family.

<i>Astragalus cibarius</i> Species of legume

Astragalus cibarius, commonly called the browse milkvetch, is a species of plant in the legume family.

<i>Astragalus aquilonius</i> Species of legume

Astragalus aquilonius, the Lemhi milkvetch, is a species of milkvetch in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Idaho.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 NatureServe (2024). "Astragalus molybdenus". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Astragalus molybdenus Barneby". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ladyman, J.A.R. (2003, September 30). Astragalus molybdenus Barneby (Leadville milkvetch): A technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region.
  4. Roe, LS; Shelly, JS (1990). Status review and taxonomic studies of Astragalus molybdenus. Helena, MT: Montana Natural Heritage Program. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.25540.
  5. "Astragalus molybdenus var. shultziorum (Barneby) S.L.Welsh". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  6. "Astragalus molybdenus var. lackschewitzii (Lavin & H.Marriott) S.L.Welsh". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  7. NatureServe (2024). "Astragalus lackschewitzii". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 23 April 2024.