Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae
Coachella valley milkvetch, Coachella Valley Milkvetch
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae (Coachella valley milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by geographic restriction and inflated pods.
Coachella valley milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Coachella Valley in sandy habitats at elevations below 650 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces pink-purple flowers in clusters with 11 to 25 blossoms, the banner measuring 12.7 to 14.5 millimeters long. Growing in clumped, ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and densely covered in silvery hairs, it forms compact clusters. Its compound leaves are 5 to 11.5 centimeters long, featuring 7 to 21 widely ovate leaflets each 5 to 17 millimeters in size. The fruit is a distinctive, greatly inflated pod 16 to 21 millimeters long, covered in stiff grayish hairs and terminating in a short 3.5 to 6 millimeter beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; geographic restriction and inflated pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand
Elevation: < 650 m
California counties: Riverside
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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. coachellae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae grow?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae occurs in Riverside, at elevations of < 650 m.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae rare or endangered?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. coachellae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus — Freckled 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.