Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus
Spiny-leaved milkvetch, Spiny-Leaved Milkvetch, spiny-leaved milk-vetch, spiny-leaved milk-vetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus kentrophyta · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus (Spiny-leaved milkvetch) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Spiny-leaved milkvetch is a rare California native perennial ranked 2B.2 by CNPS, found in the White and Inyo Mountains in open rocky areas at elevations of 2,900 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces white to faintly purple-veined flowers with petals 4.8 to 6.2 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems around 10 centimeters tall, often branching at the base and covered in strigose hairs, it forms a distinctively spiny plant. Its leaves are 10 to 26 millimeters long, composed of 3 to 7 stiff leaflets that terminate in sharp spine-like tips. The fruit is small, generally 4 to 7 millimeters long and 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide, containing 2 to 4 ovules.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open rocky areas
Elevation: 2900-3200 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: to Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus blooms Jun-Sep.
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 kentrophyta var. elatus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus bloom?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus grow?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 2900-3200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus belong to?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus rare or endangered?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. elatus 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.