Purple Milk-vetch
CR

Purple Milk-vetch

Astragalus danicus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astragalus_danicus

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

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.

Threat summary

Habitat

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.

Other threatened species in Fabaceae

CR

Galactia rotundata

Unknown
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Albizia buntingii

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Poitea immarginata

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CR

Galactia isopoda

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Purple Milk-vetch classified as Critically Endangered?
Purple Milk-vetch is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. 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.
Where does Purple Milk-vetch live?
Purple Milk-vetch occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Purple Milk-vetch?
The main threats to Purple Milk-vetch are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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