Astragalus filipes
Basalt milkvetch, Basalt Milkvetch
(c) Lindsey K. Wise, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lindsey K. Wise · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus filipes (Basalt milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive flat narrow fruits with stalk-like base.
Basalt milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the western Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Mojave Desert in dry, open sagebrush, pine, and chaparral areas at elevations of 750 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces dull white or pale yellow flowers in loose clusters with 10 to 30 generally reflexed blooms. Growing in clumped formations with stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall, it develops sparsely leafy stems that range from nearly smooth to densely hairy. Its compound leaves feature 9 to 19 narrow leaflets, each 3 to 25 millimeters long, with linear or narrowly oblong shapes and slightly obtuse or notched tips. The fruit develops as a spreading or hanging pod 17 to 30 millimeters long, with a distinctive stalk-like base and papery texture when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 62 sympatric species; distinctive flat narrow fruits with stalk-like base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open areas in sagebrush or pine (MP) or chaparral (SW)
Elevation: 750-2150 m
California counties: Riverside, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Shasta, Imperial, Plumas
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho, Nevada, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Astragalus filipes blooms May-Jul.
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 filipes native to California?
Yes. Astragalus filipes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus filipes bloom?
Astragalus filipes blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus filipes grow?
Astragalus filipes occurs in Riverside, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of 750-2150 m.
What plant family does Astragalus filipes belong to?
Astragalus filipes is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus filipes grow in?
Astragalus filipes grows in Dry, open areas in sagebrush or pine (MP) or chaparral (SW).
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.