Astragalus inversus
Susanville milkvetch, Susanville Milkvetch, Susanville milk-vetch, Susanville milk-vetch
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Astragalus inversus (Susanville milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive flower coloration and pendant pod structure.
Susanville milkvetch is a California native perennial found in eastern California Ranges and Modoc Plateau in dry sagebrush scrub and pine forest at elevations of 950 to 1,950 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces distinctive red-pink flowers with white-tipped banners and buff-yellow wings, creating a delicate color contrast. Growing with prostrate to spreading wiry stems 20 to 50 centimeters long, the plant appears slender and sparsely leafy. Its leaves feature 5 to 11 narrow, arched leaflets spaced along stems, each leaflet 4 to 20 millimeters long. The fruit is a pendulous, papery pod 20 to 35 millimeters long, hanging elegantly from the plant's delicate branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; distinctive flower coloration and pendant pod structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry soils, sagebrush scrub, pine forest
Elevation: 950-1950 m
California counties: Lassen, Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc
Bloom period
Astragalus inversus blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 inversus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus inversus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus inversus bloom?
Astragalus inversus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Astragalus inversus grow?
Astragalus inversus occurs in Lassen, Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc, at elevations of 950-1950 m.
What plant family does Astragalus inversus belong to?
Astragalus inversus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus inversus rare or endangered?
Astragalus inversus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus inyoensis — Inyo milkvetch
- Astragalus iodanthus — Humboldt river milkvetch
- Astragalus iodanthus var. diaphanoides — Snake milkvetch
- Astragalus iodanthus var. iodanthus — Humboldt river milkvetch
- Astragalus jaegerianus — Lane mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus johannis-howellii — Long valley milkvetch
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.