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Astragalus saurinus

Barneby

Dinosaur Milkvetch

G3Vulnerable Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146357
Element CodePDFAB0F7U0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusAstragalus
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2017-11-15
Change Date1996-12-02
Edition Date2017-11-15
Edition AuthorsNiese, J., rev. L. Morse, rev. B. Franklin (1996), rev. L. Morse (2002), rev. L. Oliver (2017)
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Endemic to the Uinta Basin in eastern Uintah County, Utah, and immediately adjacent Colorado, where it is locally abundant in large colonies. This species occurs on soils that are high in selenium and is considered an edaphic endemic, and indicator of selenium. Information is needed on the condition of the occurrences, as well as threat data. Some populations are on lands subject to mineral and oil exploration and development, and others are threatened by road construction.
Range Extent Comments
Endemic to Uintah County, Utah, and adjacent Colorado. The extent of occurrence was calculated to be 2,400 sq km in 2017, based on herbarium specimens in the Intermountain Herbarium Network, SEINet 2018.
Threat Impact Comments
Industrial development and mineral exploration threaten this species. Additionally, this species is threatened by road and bridge construction (Colorado Rare Plant Guide, 2015).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Salt desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities on gullied shale or sandstone badlands. 1430-1750 m elevation.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferShrubland/chaparral
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
UtahS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
3 - Energy production & mining———
3.2 - Mining & quarryingPervasive (71-100%)Serious - slightUnknown
4 - Transportation & service corridors———
4.1 - Roads & railroadsSmall (1-10%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (1)
Utah (1)
AreaForestAcres
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
References (4)
  1. Barneby, R.C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. 2 Vols. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 1188 pp.
  2. Barneby, R.C. 1989. Fabales. In A. Cronquist, A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren (eds.). Intermountain flora: Vascular plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 3, Part B. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 279 pp.
  3. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  4. Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, L.C. Higgins, and S. Goodrich, eds. 1987. A Utah Flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoir 9: 1- 894. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. 894 pp.