Astragalus ertterae
Walker pass milkvetch, Walker Pass Milkvetch, Walker Pass milk-vetch, Walker Pass milk-vetch
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Astragalus ertterae (Walker pass milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive underground stems and shaggy hairs.
Walker pass milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains (Kern County) in open pine and oak woodlands with sandy, granitic soil at elevations of 1,750 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in small clusters with petals 10 to 12 millimeters long, the banner petal distinctively recurved at about 45 degrees. Growing with low-spreading stems about 3.5 to 10 centimeters long, approximately half of which remain below the soil surface, it has a prostrate growth habit. Its compact leaf clusters contain 9 to 13 oblanceolate leaflets, each 6 to 13 millimeters long with blunt or shallowly notched tips. The fruit is a distinctive oblong pod 16 to 22 millimeters long, stiffly leathery with a raised upper suture and gently incurved shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; distinctive underground stems and shaggy hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas with sandy, granitic soil, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 1750-1900 m
California counties: Kern
Bloom period
Astragalus ertterae blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 ertterae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus ertterae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus ertterae bloom?
Astragalus ertterae blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Astragalus ertterae grow?
Astragalus ertterae occurs in Kern, at elevations of 1750-1900 m.
What plant family does Astragalus ertterae belong to?
Astragalus ertterae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus ertterae rare or endangered?
Astragalus ertterae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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.