Astragalus andersonii
Anderson's milkvetch
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus andersonii (Anderson's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive interwoven white hairs on lower stems.
Anderson's milkvetch is a California native perennial herb found in the northern eastern Sierra Nevada and adjacent Modoc Plateau in generally disturbed flats and slopes at elevations of 1,300 to 2,450 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers tinged with dull purple, with petals 9.5 to 14.5 millimeters long and a distinctive banner recurved at approximately 45 degrees. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 7 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a loose-tufted habit with spreading or ascending wavy hairs that are grayish white. Its leaves are 2 to 10 centimeters long, composed of 9 to 21 elliptic to oblanceolate leaflets, each 3 to 14 millimeters long. The fruit is a spreading or pendent pod 10 to 18 millimeters long, widely oblong and long-wavy-hairy with a distinctly thick upper suture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; distinctive interwoven white hairs on lower stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally disturbed flats, slopes
Elevation: 1300-2450 m
California counties: Lassen, Sierra, Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Placer
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus andersonii blooms Apr-Jul.
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 andersonii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus andersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus andersonii bloom?
Astragalus andersonii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus andersonii grow?
Astragalus andersonii occurs in Lassen, Sierra, Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Placer, at elevations of 1300-2450 m.
What plant family does Astragalus andersonii belong to?
Astragalus andersonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus andersonii grow in?
Astragalus andersonii grows in Generally disturbed flats, slopes.
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.