Astragalus claranus
Clara hunt's milkvetch, Clara Hunt's milk-vetch, Clara Hunt's milk-vetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Astragalus claranus (Clara hunt's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by deeply notched leaflets and purple-tipped flowers.
Clara hunt's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges of Sonoma and Napa counties and western Sacramento Valley in Solano County, inhabiting open grassy areas with thin clay soil at elevations of 100 to 200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this delicate plant produces white flowers with bright purple-tipped keel petals in small clusters of 2 to 7 blooms. Growing with slender ascending stems 3 to 12 centimeters tall, the plant has a sparsely leafy structure with fine, short hairs. Its leaves feature 5 to 9 obovate leaflets, each 2 to 10 millimeters long with deeply notched tips, creating a delicate, intricate foliage pattern. The fruit is a distinctive crescent-shaped pod, 17 to 25 millimeters long, with a prominent slightly curved beak that becomes evident after the flowers drop.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; key features are deeply notched leaflets and purple-tipped flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassy areas, thin clay soil
Elevation: 100-200 m
California counties: Sonoma, Napa, Shasta
Bloom period
Astragalus claranus blooms Apr-May.
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 claranus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus claranus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus claranus bloom?
Astragalus claranus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Astragalus claranus grow?
Astragalus claranus occurs in Sonoma, Napa, Shasta, at elevations of 100-200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus claranus belong to?
Astragalus claranus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus claranus rare or endangered?
Astragalus claranus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.