Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus
Common dwarf milkvetch
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Pollock · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus (Common dwarf milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by small size and black calyx hairs.
Common dwarf milkvetch is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, Great Valley, central Western California, southwestern California, and Mojave Desert regions in grassy areas at elevations below 1,350 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces small clusters of pale purple to white flowers with distinctive black-haired calyxes. Growing with nearly erect green stems 25 to 45 centimeters tall, the plant has a delicate, sparsely hairy appearance. Its leaves are compound with multiple leaflets, sparsely covered in stiff, short hairs that give the plant a light green, somewhat rough texture. The small flowers feature a banner petal 3 to 6 millimeters long and a curved keel with a bluntly pointed tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 74 sympatric species; small size and black calyx hairs help distinguish
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas
Elevation: < 1350 m
California counties: Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Inyo, Kings, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo, Contra Costa, Fresno, Madera, San Benito, San Joaquin, Tulare
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus blooms Feb-May.
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 didymocarpus var. didymocarpus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus bloom?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus grow?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus occurs in Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 1350 m.
What plant family does Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus belong to?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus grow in?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus grows in Grassy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus douglasii var. douglasii — Douglas's milkvetch
- Astragalus douglasii var. parishii — Parish's milkvetch
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.