Astragalus gilmanii
Gilman's milkvetch, Gilman's Milkvetch, Gilman's milk-vetch, Gilman's milk-vetch
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus gilmanii (Gilman's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive purple leaf margins and high elevation.
Gilman's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Death Mountains (Panamint Range) in gravelly areas at elevations of 2,000 to 3,050 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with banner petals 6 to 8 millimeters long, recurving at approximately 45 degrees. Growing with ascending stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall, it has a delicate and spreading habit. Its compound leaves feature 7 to 13 oblanceolate leaflets 2 to 12 millimeters long, often with distinctive purple margins. The papery, bladdery fruit is 14 to 25 millimeters long, containing 8 to 12 ovules.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinctive purple leaf margins and high elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly areas
Elevation: 2000-3050 m
California counties: Inyo, Los Angeles
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus gilmanii blooms May-Jun.
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 gilmanii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus gilmanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus gilmanii bloom?
Astragalus gilmanii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus gilmanii grow?
Astragalus gilmanii occurs in Inyo, Los Angeles, at elevations of 2000-3050 m.
What plant family does Astragalus gilmanii belong to?
Astragalus gilmanii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus gilmanii rare or endangered?
Astragalus gilmanii 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.