Astragalus phoenix

Astragalus phoenix

( Known in English as Ash Meadows Milkvetch = Ash Meadows tragacanth ) Astragalus phoenix is a rare plant species in the genus Astragalus ( Astragalus ) within the legume family ( Fabaceae ). She is in Ash Meadows, Nevada, home.

Features

Astragalus phoenix is a perennial plant that forms dense mats of foliage or hemispheres over 100 rosettes with a diameter of 40 to 50 cm. The stems are repeatedly branched, and Stand out from the leaves. The 1.5 to 3.5 cm long leaves are divided into 1-4 leaflets. The coat consists of relatively coarse spreading hairs. The pea- shaped flowers are solitary or in pairs to 5 mm long permanently erect stems. They often protrude hardly the opposite stipules. The petals are pinkish-purple. The up to 1.8 cm long and up to 1 cm wide pod is ovoid and pointed. The flowering period is from April to early May. Astragalus phoenix probably originated from Astragalus newberryi.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Astragalus phoenix covers an area of 7 x 3 miles. The populations are limited to 13 points in the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada. The species grows exclusively on soils with a mineral crust, and is not to be found in disturbed areas. The habitat includes dry, hard, white Ödflächen, Arroyos and tops of calcareous, alkaline soils.

Status

Astragalus phoenix was on 16 June 1976 in the category " endangered " ( endangered ) was added to the Endangered Species Act. The main hazard is due to grazing livestock grazing rabbits, dust from disturbed soils and the Pferdegetrampel in open terrain. Since 1969, the range of the species has shrunk by half.