Astragalus gibbsii
Gibbs' milkvetch, Gibbs' Milkvetch
(c) Rafael Medina, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rafael Medina · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus gibbsii (Gibbs' milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive yellow flowers and pouched calyx base.
Gibbs' milkvetch is a California native perennial herb found in northern Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions among sagebrush and pine habitats at elevations of 1,250 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with banner and wing petals approximately 14 to 18 millimeters long in clusters of 10 to 30 blooms. Growing with many prostrate stems 15 to 35 centimeters long and covered in gray, spreading hairs, it forms a low-growing ground cover. Its compound leaves are 1.5 to 9.5 centimeters long, featuring 7 to 19 obovate or oblong leaflets ranging from 4 to 20 millimeters in length. The distinctive fruit is a pendulous, leathery pod 22 to 30 millimeters long, slightly curved and densely covered with wavy hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species; distinctive yellow flowers and pouched calyx base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among sagebrush or pines
Elevation: 1250-2400 m
California counties: Lassen, Shasta, Modoc, Mono, Alpine, Amador, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus gibbsii 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 gibbsii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus gibbsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus gibbsii bloom?
Astragalus gibbsii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus gibbsii grow?
Astragalus gibbsii occurs in Lassen, Shasta, Modoc, Mono, Alpine, Amador, Nevada, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 1250-2400 m.
What plant family does Astragalus gibbsii belong to?
Astragalus gibbsii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus gibbsii grow in?
Astragalus gibbsii grows in Among sagebrush or pines.
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.