Astragalus bibullatus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordo: Fabales

Familia: Fabaceae
Subfamilia: Faboideae
Tribus: Galegeae
Genus: Astragalus
Sectio: Astragalus sect. Sarcocarpi
Species: Astragalus bibullatus
Name

Astragalus bibullatus Barneby & E.L.Bridges (1987)

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Northern America
Regional: Southeastern USA
Tennessee

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Barneby, R.C. & Bridges, E.L. 1987. Brittonia. New York, NY 39: 359.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Astragalus bibullatus in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Dec 09. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Astragalus bibullatus. Published online. Accessed: Dec 09 2020.
Tropicos.org 2020. Astragalus bibullatus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 09 Dec 2020.
Catalogue of Life: 2021 Annual Checklist
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Astragalus bibullatus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

Vernacular names
English: Limestone glade milkvetch, Pyne's ground plum

Astragalus bibullatus, the limestone glade milkvetch or Pyne's ground plum, is an endangered species of flowering plant that is endemic to the cedar glades of the central basin of Tennessee in the United States. It is found in only eight populations located within a few kilometers of each other in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Taxonomy and similar species

Astragalus bibullatus was first described in 1987 by Rupert Charles Barneby and Edwin L. Bridges.[2] The common name refers to Milo Pyne, who discovered the species in the 1980s, and the odd-looking smooth, reddish fruits that ripen on the ground and look superficially like plums (Prunus). However, the species is a legume and is unrelated to plums, which are in the rose family.

The foliage of Astragalus bibullatus looks similar to the more widespread cedar glade endemic, A. tennesseensis (Tennessee milkvetch). However, the stem, leaves, and fruits of A. tennesseensis are all fuzzy, while they are smooth in A. bibullatus. Also, the flowers of A. bibullatus are pinkish purple in contrast to the yellow-white flowers of A. tennesseensis. The fruits are also quite different. A. tennesseensis fruits are greenish, hairy, and are more elongated (similar to an elf shoe) as is more typical for legumes. The flowers of A. bibullatus bloom in April and May, while the fruit ripens in May or June.
Threats

Because of the small number of populations, A. bibullatus is threatened by habitat destruction.[3] Eight populations are now protected including the Flat Rock Cedar Glade and Barrens State Natural Area and Manus Road Cedar Glade.[4] Because there is very little genetic differentiation among populations,[5] further loss of genetic variability is not a threat.[6]
References

"Astragalus bibullatus". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
Barneby, R. D. and E. L. Bridges (1987). A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from Tennessee's Central Basin. Brittonia 39:358-363.
Morris, A. B., R. S. Baucom, and M. B. Cruzan. 2002. Stratified analysis of the soil seed bank in the cedar glade endemic Astragalus bibullatus: evidence for historical changes in genetic structure. American Journal of Botany 89: 29-36.
"Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens Class II Natural-Scientific State Natural Area". Division of Natural Areas. Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
Baskauf, C. J.; S. Snapp (1998). "Population genetics of the cedar glade endemic Astragalus bibullatus (Fabaceae) using isozymes". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. 85 (1): 90–96. doi:10.2307/2991999. JSTOR 2991999. Archived from the original on 2006-05-20.
"NatureServe Explorer 2.0".