Ventura Marsh Milkvetch
Encyclopedia
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus, the Ventura marsh milk-vetch is a short-lived, herbaceous perennial in the pea family Fabaceae
, with dense clusters of small light yellow flowers. It has silvery white, pinnately compound leaves and flowers from June through October. Historically, Ventura marsh milk-vetch occurred in back dune habitat, coastal meadows and near coastal salt marshes from Ventura County to Orange County. Over the last century seven historical occurrences were known to exist. Ventura marsh milk-vetch was extirpated from these sites and was therefore thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in June 1997 by a USFWS biologist at a proposed development site. It had only been seen twice in the last century.
Today, only this one population of Ventura marsh milk-vetch is known to exist near the City of Oxnard
, Ventura County
, California
, all within a 2854 square feet (265.1 m²) area (less than 0.6 of an acre). The population occurs on disturbed coastal backdunes on fill material at a closed oil-waste dump site. Since 1997 between 192 and 374 Ventura marsh milk-vetch individuals have been observed at the site. Most of these individuals are seedlings or small juveniles. Southern California
coastal wetland habitats have declined by 80-90% and those remaining are frequently degraded. Very little is known about the ecological requirements of this species.
The only known population of Ventura marsh milk-vetch is threatened by predation and potential habitat modification and may be susceptible to alterations in its hydrologic regime and competition from non-native plant species.
The DFG is working closely with the landowner, the USFWS and other interested parties to identify areas that may be suitable for introducing Ventura marsh milk-vetch as part of recovery for the species. Greenhouse studies on this species are ongoing, as well as research to learn more about the ecological requirements of this species.http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/cgi-bin/read_one.asp?specy=plants&idNum=23
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
, with dense clusters of small light yellow flowers. It has silvery white, pinnately compound leaves and flowers from June through October. Historically, Ventura marsh milk-vetch occurred in back dune habitat, coastal meadows and near coastal salt marshes from Ventura County to Orange County. Over the last century seven historical occurrences were known to exist. Ventura marsh milk-vetch was extirpated from these sites and was therefore thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in June 1997 by a USFWS biologist at a proposed development site. It had only been seen twice in the last century.
Today, only this one population of Ventura marsh milk-vetch is known to exist near the City of Oxnard
Oxnard, California
Oxnard is the 113th largest city in the United States, 19th largest city in California and largest city in Ventura County, California, by way of population. It is located at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain, and is an important agricultural center, with its distinction as the...
, Ventura County
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, all within a 2854 square feet (265.1 m²) area (less than 0.6 of an acre). The population occurs on disturbed coastal backdunes on fill material at a closed oil-waste dump site. Since 1997 between 192 and 374 Ventura marsh milk-vetch individuals have been observed at the site. Most of these individuals are seedlings or small juveniles. Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
coastal wetland habitats have declined by 80-90% and those remaining are frequently degraded. Very little is known about the ecological requirements of this species.
The only known population of Ventura marsh milk-vetch is threatened by predation and potential habitat modification and may be susceptible to alterations in its hydrologic regime and competition from non-native plant species.
The DFG is working closely with the landowner, the USFWS and other interested parties to identify areas that may be suitable for introducing Ventura marsh milk-vetch as part of recovery for the species. Greenhouse studies on this species are ongoing, as well as research to learn more about the ecological requirements of this species.http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/cgi-bin/read_one.asp?specy=plants&idNum=23