Astragalus mohavensis
Mohave locoweed
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus mohavensis (Mohave locoweed) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by rounded leaflets and fruit chamber structure.
Mohave locoweed is a California native perennial herb found in desert and desert mountain regions, growing in arid habitats. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with banner petals that curve back at nearly 45 degrees, creating an elegant arc. Growing with ascending stems 5 to 35 centimeters tall and forming tufted or widely branched clusters, it has a distinctly gray or silvery appearance from fine strigose hairs. Its compound leaves are 2 to 12.5 centimeters long with 3 to 11 leaflets that are ovate to rounded, typically with blunt tips. The fruit is a stiff-leathery, reflexed pod 13 to 32 millimeters long, densely covered in minute strigose hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; distinguished by rounded leaflets and fruit chamber structure
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Kern
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 mohavensis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus mohavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Astragalus mohavensis grow?
Astragalus mohavensis occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Kern.
What plant family does Astragalus mohavensis belong to?
Astragalus mohavensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus — Curved-pod milkvetch
- Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis — Mojave milkvetch
- Astragalus monoensis — Mono milkvetch
- Astragalus nevinii — San clemente island milkvetch
- Astragalus newberryi var. newberryi — Newberry's milkvetch
- Astragalus nutans — Providence mountains 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.