Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus
Sweetwater mountains milkvetch, Sweetwater Mountains Milkvetch, Sweetwater Mountains milk-vetch, Sweetwater Mountains milk-vetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus kentrophyta · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus (Sweetwater mountains milkvetch) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive cushion growth form and spiny nature.
Sweetwater mountains milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada bioregions in rocky places above timberline at elevations of 2,900 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pale purple to white flowers with purple keel tips, approximately 4 to 5.6 millimeters long. Growing as a dense, rounded cushion with stems generally less than 5 centimeters tall, it forms a spiny, compact structure with strigose hairs. Its leaves feature 3 to 5 stiff, spine-tipped leaflets measuring 3 to 7 millimeters long, arranged in a compact configuration. The fruit is a small ovoid structure 3.5 to 5 millimeters long, containing 5 to 8 ovules.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; distinctive cushion growth form and spiny nature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky places at, above timberline
Elevation: 2900-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Fresno, Alpine
Bloom period
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus blooms Jul-Sep.
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 kentrophyta var. danaus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus bloom?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus grow?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus occurs in Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Fresno, Alpine, at elevations of 2900-4000 m.
What plant family does Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus belong to?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus rare or endangered?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. danaus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.