Astragalus obcordatus, commonly known as the Florida milkvetch, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it occurs primarily in Florida, with additional populations in Alabama and Mississippi.[1][2]
| Astragalus obcordatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Astragalus obcordatus in flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Species: | A. obcordatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Astragalus obcordatus Elliott | |
Description
editDistribution and habitat
editThe species is endemic to the southeastern United States and is primarily distributed in Florida, with additional occurrences in Alabama and Mississippi. Reports from Georgia remain unconfirmed.[1][2]
It inhabits dry, sandy environments, particularly longleaf pine sandhills and sandy pine woodlands of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain.[2][1]
Ecology
editAstragalus obcordatus is associated with fire-maintained ecosystems, particularly longleaf pine habitats. These environments depend on periodic disturbance to maintain open, sandy conditions suitable for the species.[2]
The species flowers from February to July.[2]
Conservation
editAstragalus obcordatus is ranked as vulnerable to apparently secure (G3G4) globally by NatureServe, indicating a species at moderate risk of extinction due to a relatively restricted range and limited population data.[1]
It is considered critically imperiled (S1) in Alabama and Mississippi and vulnerable (S2–S3) in Florida.[1] Its habitat has declined due to land conversion and fire suppression, which threaten longleaf pine ecosystems.[1]
Despite these concerns, the species is not currently listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.[1]
Taxonomy
editThe species was first described by Stephen Elliott in 1823 in Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina.[2]
Several synonyms have been published, including Phaca obcordata, Tium obcordatum, and Tragacantha obcordata.[3]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Astragalus obcordatus". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Astragalus obcordatus". Flora of the Southeastern United States. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Astragalus obcordatus". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 March 2026.