Astragalus asymmetricus
San joaquin milkvetch
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus asymmetricus (San joaquin milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by tall stout stems and large bladdery pods on long stalks.
San joaquin milkvetch is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in grassy areas, open woodland, and disturbed sites at elevations of 50 to 900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in clusters of 15 to 45 blooms with banner petals 12.6 to 17.6 millimeters long that have margins folded back. Growing with erect, stout stems 50 to 120 centimeters tall that are often hollow and finely silky-textured, it forms clumped clusters. Its compound leaves are 5 to 20 centimeters long with 17 to 35 linear to elliptic leaflets 6 to 25 millimeters long, each with obtuse or shallowly notched tips. The fruit is a distinctive pendent, bladdery pod 25 to 40 millimeters long with an arched stalk-like base, containing 16 to 30 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; tall stout stems and large bladdery pods on long stalks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas, open woodland, disturbed sites
Elevation: 50-900 m
California counties: Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera, Alameda, San Benito, Fresno, Lake, Contra Costa, Solano, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Tuolumne, San Mateo, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Astragalus asymmetricus 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 asymmetricus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus asymmetricus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus asymmetricus bloom?
Astragalus asymmetricus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus asymmetricus grow?
Astragalus asymmetricus occurs in Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera, Alameda, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of 50-900 m.
What plant family does Astragalus asymmetricus belong to?
Astragalus asymmetricus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus asymmetricus grow in?
Astragalus asymmetricus grows in Grassy areas, open woodland, disturbed sites.
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.