Astragalus acutirostris
Beaked rattle weed
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus acutirostris (Beaked rattle weed) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by annual habit and narrow curved pods.
Beaked rattle weed is a California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada, western Mojave Desert, and western Colorado Desert in sandy or gravelly areas at elevations of 200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers with a banner petal recurved at about 45 degrees, creating a distinctive curved profile. Growing with prostrate or ascending stems 2 to 30 centimeters long, it spreads low across the ground with nearly appressed, curved hairs. Its compound leaves have 7 to 15 leaflets, each 2 to 8 millimeters long with slightly oblong shapes and notched tips. The fruit is pale brown, gently curved, and 12 to 30 millimeters long with a thin-walled structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 72 sympatric species; annual habit and narrow curved pods are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly areas
Elevation: 200-2100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus acutirostris blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Vicia: Astragalus has racemes of flowers; vetches (Vicia) have tendrils at leaf tips and climbing or sprawling habit.; vs Oxytropis: Astragalus keel tip is rounded to slightly pointed; Oxytropis keel has a pronounced pointed beak.; vs Cleomella: Astragalus has pea-shaped flowers; Cleomella has 4-petaled cruciform flowers with long stamens.; vs Lupinus: Astragalus has pinnate compound leaves; lupines have palmate leaves (leaflets radiating from one point).; vs Dalea: Astragalus has typical pea flowers; Dalea has tiny flowers with petals attached to the stamen tube.
Frequently asked questions
Is Astragalus acutirostris native to California?
Yes. Astragalus acutirostris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus acutirostris bloom?
Astragalus acutirostris blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Astragalus acutirostris grow?
Astragalus acutirostris occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Kern, Los Angeles, San Diego, Mono, at elevations of 200-2100 m.
What plant family does Astragalus acutirostris belong to?
Astragalus acutirostris is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus acutirostris grow in?
Astragalus acutirostris grows in Sandy or gravelly areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.