Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by robust habit and variable hairiness.
Spotted locoweed is a California native perennial herb found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi Mountains, southern San Joaquin Valley, southern eastern Sierra Nevada, and western Mojave Desert in sandy areas at elevations of 140 to 1,850 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces distinctive purple (occasionally white) flowers with banner petals 11 to 15 millimeters long nestled in clusters of 10 to 30 blooms. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall and sometimes weak flowering stems, it develops a robust habit with sparse to dense appressed or spreading hairs. Its compound leaves span 2.5 to 13 centimeters long and feature 11 to 25 obovate leaflets measuring 4 to 17 millimeters each. The fruit is a distinctive bladdery pod 12 to 30 millimeters long, with a gently curved beak 3 to 9 millimeters in length and covered in strigose or wavy hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinguished by robust habit and variable hairiness
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy areas, especially with
Elevation: 140-1850 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Tulare, Madera
Bloom period
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis blooms Mar-Jun.
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. variabilis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis bloom?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis grow?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Tulare, Madera, at elevations of 140-1850 m.
What plant family does Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis belong to?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis grow in?
Astragalus lentiginosus var. variabilis grows in Sandy areas, especially with.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.