Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus
Broadleaf milkvetch
(c) Hadley Paul Garland, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus (Broadleaf milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large flowers and inflated curved pods distinctive.
Broadleaf milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in arid plains and hillsides, often on volcanic soil at elevations of 1,200 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with delicate pink-tinged wing tips in small clusters of 5 to 15 blossoms. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 35 centimeters tall that are relatively coarse and nearly hairless, it has a robust ground-hugging form. Its compound leaves are 4 to 11 centimeters long, featuring 7 to 19 widely obovate leaflets each 5 to 20 millimeters long. The fruit is distinctive, a leathery pod 13 to 48 millimeters long that is slightly inflated and can curve in a three-quarter circle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; large flowers and inflated curved pods distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Arid plains, hillsides, often on volcanic soil
Elevation: 1200-1750 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus blooms May-Jul.
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 lentiginosus var. chartaceus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus grow in?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. chartaceus grows in Arid plains, hillsides, often on volcanic soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae — Coachella valley milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. floribundus — Floriferous milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. fremontii — Fremont's milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. idriensis — Freckled milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. ineptus — Freckled milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis — Kern plateau milkvetch
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.