Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus
Miles' milkvetch, Miles' Milkvetch, Miles' milk-vetch, Miles' milk-vetch
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Pollock · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus (Miles' milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by largest flowers in the didymocarpus complex.
Miles' milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Central Coast bioregions in coastal grassy areas at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to pale purple flowers in compact clusters of 5 to 25 blooms. Growing with nearly erect stems 25 to 45 centimeters tall, it has a delicate green herbage with sparse strigose hairs. Its leaves are compound with small leaflets, developing in a light green color with sparse hair coverage. The plant's distinctive calyx features black hairs with short lobes measuring 1 to 2 millimeters long, and its banner is 7.5 to 10 millimeters with a characteristically curved keel.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; largest flowers in the didymocarpus complex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas near coast
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Ventura, Lake
Bloom period
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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. milesianus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus bloom?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus grow?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Ventura, Lake, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus belong to?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus rare or endangered?
Astragalus didymocarpus var. milesianus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus ertterae — Walker pass 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.