PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Global Rank	State Rank	Federal Status	WI Status

Alpine Milkvetch (Astragalus alpinus)

State Status: END

Federal Status: none

State Rank: S1

Global Rank: G5

Photo by Robert H. Read

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Alpine Milkvetch (Astragalus alpinus), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found on sandy or gravelly fluctuating inland lake shores. Blooming occurs late-April through late-August, fruiting late-June through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-May through late-September.

Identification

Alpine milkvetch is an erect forb, 10-50cm tall, with a smooth stem that spreads along the ground. It has nodding, purple, tube-shaped flowers, 10-13mm long, that are arranged on long-stemmed, 2-4cm long racemes. Its fruits are 3-sided, drooping, lance-oblong shaped, 8-13mm long, covered in small black and white hairs and with grooves running the length of the underside. It has 15-25 narrowly oblong to oval leaves, 1-2cm long, hairy on both sides, or smooth above.

Distinguishing Characteristics and Similar Species

It can be distinguished from look-alikes by the brown or blackish hairs that cover the calyx and seed pods.

Phenology and Reproduction

Phenology

Blooming occurs late-April through late-August, fruiting late-June through late-August.

Life Cycle, Optimum Time to Identify

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-May through September.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Oxytropis campestris var chartacea, Juncus alpinus, J balticus, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Lycopus americanus, Carex viridula, Potentilla anserina, and P norvegica.

Habitat

Alpine milkvetch is found on sandy or gravelly fluctuating inland lake shores.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoidance Measures

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid disturbance to shorelines and the forest-beach interface.

Management Guidance

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Wildlife Action Plan

Associated Natural Communities and Ecological Landscapes

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Issues/Threats and Conservation Actions

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Alpine Milkvetch (Astragalus alpinus)

Rare Species & Natural Communities

Additional Resources

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