Astragalus agrestis
Field milkvetch, Field Milkvetch, field milk-vetch, field milk-vetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Astragalus agrestis (Field milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by small size, underground stems, and black pods distinctive.
Field milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Lassen and Mono County regions of the Modoc Plateau and eastern Sierra Nevada in vernally moist sagebrush habitats at elevations of 1,600 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pink-purple to nearly white flowers in small head-like clusters up to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing with decumbent or ascending stems 4 to 30 centimeters tall, it often forms small patches supported by surrounding grasses. Its leaves are compound with 9 to 23 leaflets, each 5 to 20 millimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to ovate with acute or notched tips. The fruit is an erect, stiff-papery pod 7 to 10 millimeters long that turns black, with white hairs and a distinctively three-sided shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; small size, underground stems, and black pods distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernally moist soil, with sagebrush
Elevation: 1600-2200 m
California counties: Mono, Lassen, Modoc
Outside California: to Minnesota, New Mexico, especially Rocky Mountains, also Asia
Bloom period
Astragalus agrestis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 agrestis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus agrestis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus agrestis bloom?
Astragalus agrestis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Astragalus agrestis grow?
Astragalus agrestis occurs in Mono, Lassen, Modoc, at elevations of 1600-2200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus agrestis belong to?
Astragalus agrestis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus agrestis rare or endangered?
Astragalus agrestis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.