About Astragalus phoenix Barneby
Astragalus phoenix is a perennial herb that forms a flat cushion or mat, reaching up to 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) wide. Each inflorescence produces one or two pink or purple flowers. This species is pollinated by bees of the genus Anthophora; these bees show a specific affinity for the plant, even when other flowering plants are present. This plant is locally endemic to Ash Meadows, a desert oasis and wildlife refuge located in the Amargosa Desert. Its habitat consists of stark, white flats and washes within a wetland area fed by seeps and springs. Evaporation of this wetland water leaves a hard mineral crust on the land, and A. phoenix grows only in undisturbed areas of this crust. The entire species is found across approximately 13 sites within a seven-by-three-mile range. It is one of several rare plants and animals endemic to the Ash Meadows–Amargosa Valley area. Other plant species that occur in this area include saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), and alkali goldenbush (Isocoma acradenia).
