Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus
Curved-pod milkvetch, Curved-Pod Milkvetch
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus (Curved-pod milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by limited morphological data available.
Curved-pod milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert bioregion on limestone hillsides at elevations of 350 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in compact clusters characteristic of milkvetch species. Growing with slender, spreading stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms low, sprawling clumps across rocky limestone terrain. Its pinnately compound leaves have 11 to 21 leaflets, each approximately 5 to 10 millimeters long, with a distinctive curved or hooked pod shape that gives the variety its name. The plant is notably restricted to limestone habitats in southern Nevada's Clark County and California's Mojave Desert region.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; limited morphological data available
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone hillsides,
Elevation: 350-2750 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada (Clark Co.)
Bloom period
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus blooms Apr-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 mohavensis var. hemigyrus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus bloom?
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus grow?
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of 350-2750 m.
What plant family does Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus belong to?
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus rare or endangered?
Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus nuttallianus — Small-flowered milkvetch
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.