Astragalus austiniae
Austin's milkvetch, Austin's astragalus, Austin's astragalus
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Astragalus austiniae (Austin's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by dwarf cushion form and pods included in calyx distinctive.
Austin's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe in exposed alpine meadows and ridges above timberline at elevations of 2,400 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white to dull lilac-tinged flowers in compact clusters with 4 to 14 blossoms, each banner petal delicately recurved at approximately 35 degrees. Growing as a dwarf, dense tussock with stems less than 11 centimeters tall, it forms a compact silvery-hairy cushion across high-altitude landscapes. Its leaves are composed of 5 to 13 small elliptic to oblanceolate leaflets, each 1 to 7 millimeters long and distinctively keeled on the underside. The fruit develops as a small ascending, finely tomentose pod 5 to 7 millimeters long, mostly concealed within the plant's calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; dwarf cushion form and pods included in calyx distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Exposed ridges, meadows, above timberline
Elevation: 2400-2750 m
California counties: Nevada, Placer, El Dorado
Bloom period
Astragalus austiniae blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 austiniae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus austiniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus austiniae bloom?
Astragalus austiniae blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Astragalus austiniae grow?
Astragalus austiniae occurs in Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, at elevations of 2400-2750 m.
What plant family does Astragalus austiniae belong to?
Astragalus austiniae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus austiniae rare or endangered?
Astragalus austiniae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.