Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae
Big bear valley milkvetch, Big Bear Valley 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. sierrae (Big bear valley milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by prostrate mat-forming habit and crowded leaflets.
Big bear valley milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges in rocky meadows and pine woodland at elevations of 1,700 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces predominantly white flowers with pink-tinged tips in clusters of 5 to 15 blossoms. Growing with loosely matted, prostrate stems that are widely branched and 10 to 35 centimeters long, it spreads across the ground in an open, delicate pattern. Its compound leaves feature 15 to 21 crowded leaflets, each 3 to 8 millimeters long and distinctively obovate with gently arched midribs. The fruit is a papery, bladdery pod 15 to 22 millimeters long, sparsely covered with stiff hairs and tapering to a short 3 to 6 millimeter beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species; distinguished by prostrate mat-forming habit and crowded leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky meadows, pine woodland
Elevation: 1700-3200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Mono, Ventura, Inyo
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae blooms May-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. sierrae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae grow?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae occurs in San Bernardino, Mono, Ventura, Inyo, at elevations of 1700-3200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae rare or endangered?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.