Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis
Sodaville milkvetch, Sodaville Milkvetch
(c) Hadley Paul Garland, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis (Sodaville milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by long prostrate stems, purple flowers, and alkaline habitat.
Sodaville milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Death Valley Mountains, specifically on the eastern slope of the Last Chance Range, in moist, alkaline flats at elevations around 950 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces purple flowers with a banner 12 to 14.5 millimeters long and distinctive keel. Growing with prostrate stems 60 to 80 centimeters long and appearing sparsely hairy, it develops a spreading habit across alkaline terrain. Its compound leaves feature 7 to 17 oblanceolate leaflets, each 6 to 18 millimeters long and nearly glabrous on the upper surface. The distinctive fruit is somewhat inflated, 12 to 26 millimeters long, with a stiff-papery texture and a short 4 to 8 millimeter beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinguished by long prostrate stems, purple flowers, and alkaline habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, alkaline flats
Elevation: 950 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. sesquimetralis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis grow?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 950 m.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis rare or endangered?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.