Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii
Harwood's milkvetch, Harwood's Milkvetch, Harwood's milk-vetch, Harwood's milk-vetch
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii (Harwood's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive pod shape and flower color separate from other desert species.
Harwood's milkvetch is a rare California native annual found in the southern desert region in sandy or gravelly areas at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces pink-violet flowers with a distinctively recurved banner petal that curves 50 to 60 degrees. Growing with decumbent to ascending slender stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it appears grayish due to strigose hairs covering its surface. Its compound leaves span 2 to 12 centimeters long and feature 11 to 19 narrowly elliptic leaflets, typically with slightly notched tips. The fruit is a distinctive bladdery, papery pod 15 to 24 millimeters long with a conspicuous beak, spreading or slightly reflexed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinctive pod shape and flower color separate from other desert species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly areas
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, San Bernardino
Outside California: Arizona, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii blooms Jan-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 insularis var. harwoodii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii bloom?
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii grow?
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii occurs in Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii belong to?
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii rare or endangered?
Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.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.