Astragalus aridus
Annual desert milkvetch
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus aridus (Annual desert milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by annual habit, silvery appearance, and half-moon shaped pods.
Annual desert milkvetch is a California native annual found in the southern desert region in sandy places at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces white to pink or tan-pink flowers with petals that are 3.3 to 6.5 millimeters long and slightly recurved. Growing with decumbent or ascending silvery-silky stems 3 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a delicate and subtle presence in arid landscapes. Its compound leaves are 2 to 9 centimeters long, consisting of 7 to 17 oblong or oblanceolate leaflets with acute or notched tips. The plant produces distinctive ascending fruits 10 to 17 millimeters long, covered in appressed hairs and appearing gray and thick-papery.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; annual habit, silvery appearance, and half-moon shaped pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy places
Elevation: < 350 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Astragalus aridus blooms Feb-Apr.
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 aridus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus aridus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus aridus bloom?
Astragalus aridus blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Astragalus aridus grow?
Astragalus aridus occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, at elevations of < 350 m.
What plant family does Astragalus aridus belong to?
Astragalus aridus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus aridus grow in?
Astragalus aridus grows in Sandy places.
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.