Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus
Dwarf white milkvetch
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Pollock · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus (Dwarf white milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by white vs black calyx hairs distinguish from var. didymocarpus.
Dwarf white milkvetch is a California native annual found in the southwestern California bioregion in sandy or gravelly areas at elevations from 50 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white flowers in small clusters of 7 to 20 blossoms, with banner petals 3.4 to 5.4 millimeters long. Growing with predominantly prostrate stems 15 to 27 centimeters long, the plant is covered in a distinctive grayish hairiness that gives it a soft, muted appearance. Its leaves are accompanied by small, white-haired calyxes with lobes 1.5 to 2.4 millimeters long, and the flower's keel is abruptly curved with a bluntly or sharply triangular tip. The plant's delicate structure and low-growing habit make it well-adapted to its sparse, sandy habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; white vs black calyx hairs distinguish from var. didymocarpus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly areas
Elevation: -50-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Madera, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Ventura
Bloom period
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus 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. dispermus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus bloom?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus grow?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Madera and other counties, at elevations of -50-1500 m.
What plant family does Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus belong to?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus grow in?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. dispermus grows in Sandy or gravelly areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus douglasii var. perstrictus — Jacumba 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.