Astragalus anxius
Ash valley milkvetch, Ash Valley Milkvetch, Ash Valley milk-vetch, Ash Valley milk-vetch
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus anxius (Ash valley milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by very small compressed round pods are distinctive.
Ash valley milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in Lassen County, growing in gravelly volcanic soil among pines and sagebrush at an elevation of 1,550 meters. Flowering from June to July, this delicate plant produces purple and white flowers with pale lilac veins, arranged in small clusters of 7 to 15 blooms. Growing with prostrate, slender stems 3 to 20 centimeters long that form a loose, matted habit, it has a delicate appearance with sparse, finely wavy hairs. Its leaves are composed of 9 to 15 obovate leaflets, each 2.5 to 12 millimeters long with blunt or notched tips, creating a soft, intricate foliage pattern. The fruit is a small, spreading or reflexed ovate pod 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters long, lightly compressed with a blunt lower angle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; very small compressed round pods are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly volcanic soil among pines, sagebrush
Elevation: 1550 m
California counties: Lassen
Bloom period
Astragalus anxius blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 anxius native to California?
Yes. Astragalus anxius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus anxius bloom?
Astragalus anxius blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus anxius grow?
Astragalus anxius occurs in Lassen, at elevations of 1550 m.
What plant family does Astragalus anxius belong to?
Astragalus anxius is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus anxius rare or endangered?
Astragalus anxius carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus argophyllus var. argophyllus — Silver-leaved milkvetch
- Astragalus aridus — Annual desert milkvetch
- Astragalus asymmetricus — San joaquin milkvetch
- Astragalus atratus var. mensanus — Darwin mesa milkvetch
- Astragalus austiniae — Austin's milkvetch
- Astragalus bernardinus — San bernardino milkvetch
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.