Astragalus deanei
Dean's milkvetch, Dean's milk-vetch, Dean's milk-vetch
(c) Amy Huie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Amy Huie · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Astragalus deanei (Dean's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive smooth appearance and raised leaf midribs.
Dean's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the southwestern San Diego County region of the Peninsular Ranges in open shrubby chaparral slopes at elevations of 250 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers with banners 9.5 to 15.2 millimeters long that curve back at a 45-degree angle. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it has a coarse, nearly hairless habit. Its compound leaves are 8 to 18 centimeters long, composed of 19 to 29 lanceolate to oblong leaflets with raised midribs, each 4 to 21 millimeters long. The fruit is a distinctive bladdery pod 15 to 30 millimeters long, ascending and drying to a papery texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinctive smooth appearance and raised leaf midribs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open shrubby slopes in chaparral
Elevation: 250-800 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside
Bloom period
Astragalus deanei blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 deanei native to California?
Yes. Astragalus deanei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus deanei bloom?
Astragalus deanei blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Astragalus deanei grow?
Astragalus deanei occurs in San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 250-800 m.
What plant family does Astragalus deanei belong to?
Astragalus deanei is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus deanei rare or endangered?
Astragalus deanei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus didymocarpus — Two-seeded milkvetch
- Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus — Common dwarf milkvetch
- Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus — Dwarf white milkvetch
- Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus — Miles' milkvetch
- Astragalus didymocarpus var. obispoensis — San luis obispo milkvetch
- Astragalus douglasii — Douglas milkvetch
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.