Astragalus cimae var. sufflatus

Inflated cima milkvetch, Inflated Cima Milkvetch, inflated Cima milk-vetch, inflated Cima milk-vetch

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3

Inflated cima milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern slope of the Inyo Mountains in calcareous substrates with pinyon pine and sagebrush at elevations of 1,500 to 2,100 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces flowers characteristic of its milkvetch family. Growing with slender stems emerging from a woody base, it develops distinctive inflated, papery fruits that mature to a bladdery texture about 20 to 37 millimeters long. Its leaves, typical of milkvetches, are compound with multiple leaflets arranged along the stem. The fruit is notably unique, with a stalk-like base 5 to 12 millimeters long and a body that can curve up to 90 degrees, creating an intriguing structural profile.

Habitat: Calcareous substrates, with pinyon pine, generally sagebrush

Bloom period: May

Elevation: 1500-2100 m

Bioregions: W&ampI (e slope Inyo Mtns).

California counties: Inyo

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