Purple Milk-vetch
Astragalus danicus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astragalus_danicus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Astragalus
Purple Milk-vetch belongs to the family Fabaceae, order Fabales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Purple Milk-vetch faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional grazing practices and grassland management, which have historically maintained the open, nutrient-poor conditions it requires. Climate change and invasive species further threaten remaining populations in fragmented habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Purple Milk-vetch occupies dry, calcareous grasslands, coastal dunes, and short turf on chalk downs and limestone soils. The species requires well-drained, nutrient-poor soils and open conditions maintained by grazing or natural disturbance.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Purple Milk-vetch faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional grazing practices and grassland management, which have historically maintained the open, nutrient-poor conditions it requires. Climate change and invasive species further threaten remaining populations in fragmented habitats.
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Loss of traditional grazing practices
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change altering suitable habitat conditions
Invasive plant species competition
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Purple Milk-vetch (Astragalus danicus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/purple-milk-vetch