Astragalus brauntonii
Braunton's milkvetch, Braunton's milk-vetch, Braunton's milk-vetch
(c) Ike Ikemori, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Astragalus brauntonii (Braunton's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by very tall stems, spike-like inflorescence, pods half-included in calyx.
Braunton's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in western Transverse Ranges, southern Gabilan Ranges, and northern Peninsular Ranges in disturbed chaparral areas at elevations below 650 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces dull lilac flowers in dense spike-like clusters with 35 to 60 overlapping, reflexed blooms. Growing with stout, hollow stems 70 to 150 centimeters tall and dense, tangled white hairs, it develops a coarse, upright habit. Its compound leaves feature 25 to 33 leaflets, each 3 to 20 millimeters long and somewhat obovate with acute to obtuse tips. The distinctive fruit is reflexed, partially enclosed in the calyx, with dense wavy hairs and a bluntly three-angled shape measuring 6.5 to 9 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; very tall stems, spike-like inflorescence, pods half-included in calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas in chaparral
Elevation: < 650 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Alameda
Bloom period
Astragalus brauntonii blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 brauntonii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus brauntonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus brauntonii bloom?
Astragalus brauntonii blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus brauntonii grow?
Astragalus brauntonii occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Alameda, at elevations of < 650 m.
What plant family does Astragalus brauntonii belong to?
Astragalus brauntonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus brauntonii rare or endangered?
Astragalus brauntonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
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.