Taxon Report

Astragalus anxius Meinke & Kaye

Ash Valley milk-vetch

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Taxon Summary

Astragalus anxius, commonly known as Ash Valley milk-vetch, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Great Basin scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland, and Upper montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1550 to 1645 meters. Astragalus anxius is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Astragalus anxius Meinke & Kaye
Common Name:
Ash Valley milk-vetch
Family: Fabaceae
Element Code: PDFAB0FBD0
USDA Plants Symbol: ASAN18
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Astragalus tegetarioides M.E. Jones

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul May-Jul
Elevation: 1550-1645 (5085-5395)
General Habitats: Great Basin scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland, Upper montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat: Volcanic
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 8
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 3
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Lassen (LAS)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Ash Valley (4112016), Lane Reservoir (4112017)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 7
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 63 %
Foot traffic/trampling 3 37%
Grazing 1 12%
Logging 1 12%
ORV activity 1 12%
Other 1 12%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 12%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 1 12%

Notes

Protected in part by Ash Valley RNA (BLM). 
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

MadroƱo 39(3):193-204 (1992)
Astragalus anxius profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2017)
Fremontia 16(1):15-17 (1988) see A. tegetarioides
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].