Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus
Freckled milkvetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus (Freckled milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by flower coloration and strongly curved fruits.
Freckled milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in dry, open areas with sagebrush or pine forests at elevations of 900 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces cream-colored flowers with lilac-tinged wing bases, ranging 8 to 22 blossoms per inflorescence. Growing with prostrate or decumbent stems 10 to 50 centimeters long, it spreads in a low, sprawling form. Its compound leaves have 5 to 19 widely obovate leaflets, each 5 to 18 millimeters long, giving the plant a delicate, textured appearance. The fruit is a distinctive lanceolate pod 10 to 23 millimeters long, strongly curved and stiff-papery.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; distinguished by flower coloration and strongly curved fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open areas, sagebrush or pines
Elevation: 900-1800 m
California counties: Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Shasta
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus 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. lentiginosus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus grow?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus occurs in Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Shasta, at elevations of 900-1800 m.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus grow in?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus grows in Dry, open areas, sagebrush or pines.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis — Sodaville milkvetch
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.