Astragalus leucolobus
Big bear valley woollypod, Big Bear Valley Woollypod
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus leucolobus (Big bear valley woollypod) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by dense woolly hairs and cushion growth form.
Big bear valley woollypod is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Tehachapi Mountains, Transverse Ranges, and San Jacinto Mountains in dry, rocky sagebrush and pine areas at elevations of 1,450 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with a banner 16 to 18.5 millimeters long, recurved at about 40 degrees. Growing with dense, clustered stems less than 7 centimeters tall, covered in white and gray tangled hairs. Its leaves are 1.5 to 9 centimeters long with 7 to 19 leaflets, each approximately 3 to 13 millimeters and widely obovate in shape. The fruit is an ascending, leathery pod 13 to 25 millimeters long, slightly incurved and densely covered in white hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinguished by dense woolly hairs and cushion growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky areas, sagebrush or pines
Elevation: 1450-2900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Kern, San Benito, Tulare
Bloom period
Astragalus leucolobus 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 leucolobus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus leucolobus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus leucolobus bloom?
Astragalus leucolobus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus leucolobus grow?
Astragalus leucolobus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Inyo, Kern, San Benito, Tulare, at elevations of 1450-2900 m.
What plant family does Astragalus leucolobus belong to?
Astragalus leucolobus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus leucolobus rare or endangered?
Astragalus leucolobus 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.