Astragalus funereus
Black milkvetch, black milk-vetch, black milk-vetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus funereus (Black milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive black hairs on calyx and pink-purple flowers.
Black milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the northeastern Grapevine Mountains east of Death Valley in gravelly and rocky areas at elevations of 1,050 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with a distinctive recurved banner petal about 22 to 29 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate, loose-tufted stems 2 to 8 centimeters tall and covered in dense, grayish stiff hairs, the plant forms low, compact clusters. Its leaves are 2.5 to 7 centimeters long, composed of 7 to 17 crowded leaflets, each 3 to 12 millimeters long and obovate with blunt or notched tips. The fruit is an ascending, leathery pod 25 to 50 millimeters long, densely covered in wavy white hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive black hairs on calyx and pink-purple flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly, clayey, or rocky areas
Elevation: 1050-1600 m
California counties: Inyo, Los Angeles
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus funereus blooms Apr-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 funereus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus funereus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus funereus bloom?
Astragalus funereus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Astragalus funereus grow?
Astragalus funereus occurs in Inyo, Los Angeles, at elevations of 1050-1600 m.
What plant family does Astragalus funereus belong to?
Astragalus funereus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus funereus rare or endangered?
Astragalus funereus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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.