Astragalus argophyllus var. argophyllus

Silver-leaved milkvetch, silver-leaved milk-vetch, silver-leaved milk-vetch

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Silver-leaved milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in eastern Lassen County and northwestern Inyo County in heavy alkaline or saline soil at elevations of 1,280 to 1,350 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces bright pink-purple flowers with a banner 22 to 24 millimeters long. Growing in dense tufts with prostrate stems less than 15 centimeters tall, it forms a matted ground-hugging habit. Its leaves are 2 to 15 centimeters long, featuring 9 to 21 silvery-gray leaflets that are elliptic or ovate with acute or obtuse tips. The fruit is 15 to 25 millimeters long, widely lanceolate, and densely covered in loose strigose hairs.

Habitat: Heavy alkaline or saline soil

Bloom period: Apr-Aug

Elevation: 1280-1350 m

Bioregions: MP (e Lassen Co.), SNE (nw Inyo Co.)

California counties: Lassen, Mono, Inyo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.