Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius
Mat milkvetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus kentrophyta · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius (Mat milkvetch) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by growth form distinguishes from cushion varieties.
Mat milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in open, rocky areas at elevations of 2,700 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces purple (occasionally white) flowers with banners 3.9 to 6.2 millimeters long nestled among its spiny mat-like form. Growing as a low, spreading mat with stems that are strigose and somewhat spiny, it forms dense ground-covering clusters. Its leaves are composed of 5 to 9 soft leaflets, each minutely spine-tipped and measuring 2 to 20 millimeters long. The fruit is generally 4 to 8 millimeters long, containing 5 to 8 ovules.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; growth form distinguishes from cushion varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky areas
Elevation: 2700-3600 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius blooms Jun-Sep.
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. tegetarius native to California?
Yes. Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius bloom?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius grow?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius occurs in Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, at elevations of 2700-3600 m.
What plant family does Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius belong to?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius grow in?
Astragalus kentrophyta var. tegetarius grows in Open, rocky areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.