National Collection of Imperiled Plants

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus

Family:	Fabaceae
Common Names:	Ventura marsh milkvetch, marsh milkvetch
Author:	(Rydb.) Munz & McBurney ex Munz
Growth Habit:	Forb/herb
CPC Number:	475

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus is Not Sponsored

Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus

Less than 50 plants are known to exist, represented by a single population. The population occurs on an abandoned oil-field waste site, which has been proposed for reclamation and development as a residential community. Historic records suggest that this variety occurred near coastal marshes or bodies of brackish water, often on well-drained substrates near the water table. The current population occurs on an artificially compact substrate composed on clay, sand, and small gravels, above a water table that lies between 3 and 5 feet below the surface, and which is contaminated by oil wastes. Despite this seemingly inhospitable habitat, the population has remained relatively stable and plants have produced flowers and fruits during most of the years since its discovery in 1997.

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

California

Habitat

Well-drained soils of open sites in coastal habitats, often on bluffs or flats near bodies of brackish water or with a relatively high water table, in association with dune or coastal shrubland vegetation. The distribution of the closely related northern marsh milkvetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. pycnostachyus, historic records, and the location of the single known population suggests that this species may survive where summer fog ameliorates the otherwise hot summers.

Distribution

Known only from a single, self-sustaining population in Oxnard, Ventura County, California. Historical records indicate the occurrence of as many as 4 or 5 sites along the coast between Ventura and Orange counties, California.

Number Left

Only one putatively natural population is left. It is in Oxnard, Ventura County, California. The remaining population has been composed of 30-50 reproductive plants per year, but as many as 300 vegetative plants have been observed during years with above normal precipitation and cool summers. Through efforts by the California Department of Fish and Game, small experimental populations have been established at four protected sites with comparable habitats in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The purpose of the experimental populations is to assess potential habitats for recovery, and to provide insurance against catastrophic loss.

Protection

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Global Rank:	G2T1	5/23/2001	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:	LE	5/21/2001	Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	No

State/Area Protection

	State/Area	Rank	Status	Date
	California	S1.1

Conservation, Ecology & Research

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Ecological Relationships

They include well-drained soils of open sites in coastal shrublands or dune swales, near bodies of fresh or brackish water. Associated native species include Baccharis pilularis, Malosma laurina, and Toxicodendron diversilobum. The single known population is found in close proximity to the coast, where summer fog ameliorates the otherwise dry, warm to hot days.

Threats

� Herbivory by nonnative milk snails, which feed on seedlings and young vegetative shoots.
� Infestation by cucumber mosaic virus, which is vectored by aphids.
� Herbivory of seeds by weevils, which reduce seed set to less than 2 seeds in infested fruits.
� Competition from alien weeds (primarily ice plant and white sweet clover).
� Catastrophic loss of the last remaining population.

Current Research Summary

Research conducted by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden focused on reproductive biology and ecological requirements. Seedling cohorts show high mortality, especially from herbivory by snails, and during several seasons from below normal rainfall (Wilken and Wardlaw 2001). Research conducted by Rancho Santa Botanic Garden showed that seed germination is best accomplished through scarification, and that mature plants could be successfully transplanted, if provided sufficient water during the first season after planting. Survivorship of experimental populations was highest at sites with high water tables providing fresh or brackish water, as compared to salt water from nearby salt marshes (Soza et al. 2003).

Current Management Summary

The single remaining population is on privately owned land and has been fenced to protect it from accidental incursion by vehicles or individuals. Weed removal, snail abatement, and other protective measures are being conducted by volunteers and Department of Fish and Game staff. Experimental populations are protected by their location on state park lands, and their location at sites that are infrequently used by the public.

Research Management Needs

� Protection and augmentation of experimental populations.
� Genetic analysis of natural and experimental populations.
� Surveys for additional recovery sites.

Ex Situ Needs

Augmentation of the conservation collection through managed cultivation of genetic lineages derived from separate plants at the original site.

References

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Books (Single Authors)

Jones, M. 1923. Revision of the North American species of Astragalus. Salt Lake City, Utah: Published by the author. 288p.

Munz, P.A. 1974. A flora of southern California. Berkeley: Univ. California Press. 1086p.

Books (Sections)

Soza, V.; Wall, M.; Hannon, D. 2003. Experimental introduction of the Ventura marsh milkvetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus) at Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve and McGrath State Beach. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. p 30.

Wilken, D.; Wardlaw, T. 2001. Ecological and life history characteristics of Ventura marsh milkvetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus) and their implications for recovery. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. p 55.

Books (Edited Volumes)

James C. Hickman, Editor. 1993 The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. Berkeley: University of California Press. 1400p.

Journal Articles

USFWS. 1999. Proposed endangered status for Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura Marsh Milkvetch). Federal Register. 64, 100: 28136-28142.

USFWS. 2001. Final rule for endangered status for Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura marsh milkvetch). Federal Register. 66, 98: 27901-27908.

Maps

Barneby, R.C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden. Volume 13: 1-1118.

Reports

Ikeda, D.; Meyer, M. 2000. Report to the Fish and Game Commission on the status of Ventura marsh milk-vetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus). Status Report 2000-1. Sacramento, California: p.50.

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This profile was updated on 3/4/2010