Home/Species/ Geyer's Milkvetch

Astragalus geyeri

Gray

Geyer's Milkvetch

G4Apparently Secure Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank

Least concernIUCN

PSESA Status

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156189

Element CodePDFAB0F3M0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

IUCNLeast concern

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderFabales

FamilyFabaceae

GenusAstragalus

USESAPS

Other Common Names

Geyer's milkvetch (EN)

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

Review Date2003-07-01

Change Date2003-07-02

Edition Date1999-12-07

Edition AuthorsJ. Morefield (NVHP)

Number of Occurrences81 to >300

Rank Reasons

Widespread annual in common habitat, but with some significant threats in parts of its range.

Range Extent Comments

Se. OR to CA and NV, and eastward through the Snake River drainage of s. ID to MT, WY, and UT.

Occurrences Comments

see range description in Barneby (Intermountain Flora, 1989).

Threat Impact Comments

Habitat mainly on valley floors subject to development, agriculture, livestock activity, and invasive weed infestations.

Ecology & Habitat

Description

Geyer's Milkvetch is a small annual herb with simple or branched stems arising 5-20 cm high from a slender taproot. The pinnately compound leaves are 2-10 cm long with 5-13 linear to narrowly elliptic leaflets. Foliage is sparsely hairy. Ascending flower stalks arise from the leaf axils and are 6-25 mm long with 2-8 flowers. Each nodding pea-like flower is 3-15 mm long with a somewhat recurved upper petal that is 5-8 mm long, and a calyx that is 2-4 mm long and sparsely covered with light-colored hairs. Greenish, bladdery, pendant fruits are 15-24 mm long and shaped like a half moon.

Diagnostic Characteristics

The annual habit of A. GEYERI is distinctive; however, it can be confused with A. LOTIFLORUS. Although the latter species is a perennial, it often blooms during its first or second year, giving the appearance of an annual. It can be distinguished from A. GEYERI by its silvery-hairy foliage and more canoe-shaped fruit.

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN4

Province	Rank	Native
Wyoming	S3	Yes
Washington	S1	Yes
Idaho	SNR	Yes
Montana	S2	Yes
Oregon	SNR	Yes
Arizona	S1	Yes
Utah	SNR	Yes
California	SNR	Yes
Nevada	S3	Yes
Colorado	S1	Yes

Plant Characteristics

Economic Value (Genus)Yes

Roadless Areas (3)

California (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Paiute	Inyo National Forest	58,712
Tinemaha	Inyo National Forest	27,060

Wyoming (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
0401036	Ashley National Forest	6,309

References (5)

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.
Heidel, B. L. 1994. Sensitive plant species survey in Garfield and McCone counties, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana. 58 pp. plus appendices.
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.
Lesica, P. and P. L. Achuff. 1992. Distribution of vascular plant species of special concern and limited distribution in the Pryor Mountain desert, Carbon County, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 105 pp.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. 90-Day Findings for Three Species. Notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews. Federal Register 86(55): 15637-15639.