Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis
Kern plateau milkvetch, Kern Plateau Milkvetch
(c) Hadley Paul Garland, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis (Kern plateau milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by small size, few flowers, and spherical fruits.
Kern plateau milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in sandy areas at elevations of 2,350 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white flowers with a delicate banner 9 to 11 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate or decumbent stems 2 to 12 centimeters long, it has a slender, delicate form with fine strigose hairs. Its leaves carry 7 to 19 small, approximately ovate leaflets 2 to 7 millimeters long, with upper leaf surfaces nearly smooth. The fruit is a thin, bladdery structure 6 to 10 millimeters long, nearly spherical with a slender cylindric beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; distinguished by small size, few flowers, and spherical fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy areas
Elevation: 2350-2750 m
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 lentiginosus var. kernensis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis rare or endangered?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis grow in?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. kernensis grows in Sandy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus — Freckled milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans — Shining milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. nigricalycis — Black hair milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. piscinensis — Fish slough milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. salinus — Sagebrush milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. semotus — Freckled milkvetch
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.