Astragalus cimae var. cimae

Cima milkvetch, Cima milk-vetch, Cima milk-vetch

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Cima milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in eastern San Bernardino County Mountains in sagebrush habitats at elevations of 1,250 to 1,850 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in arid desert landscapes. Its leaves are composed of multiple small leaflets, typical of milkvetch species, with a soft gray-green appearance. The distinctive fruit is uniquely shaped, with a body 15 to 25 millimeters long that curves dramatically, creating an intriguing perpendicular angle to its flower stem.

Habitat: Generally among sagebrush

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 1250-1850 m

Bioregions: e DMtns (e San Bernardino Co.)

California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo

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