Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis
Mojave milkvetch
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis (Mojave milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by limited morphological data available.
Mojave milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert on limestone habitats at elevations of 750 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale purple flowers in small clusters. Growing with spreading to ascending stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a low-growing clump with a woody base. Its compound leaves have multiple small leaflets, typically 5 to 15 millimeters long, arranged pinnately along slender stems. The plant's ability to thrive on limestone substrates makes it a unique indicator of specialized desert mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; limited morphological data available
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally limestone
Elevation: 750-2300 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo
Bloom period
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis blooms Apr-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 mohavensis var. mohavensis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis bloom?
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis grow?
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 750-2300 m.
What plant family does Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis belong to?
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis grow in?
Astragalus mohavensis var. mohavensis grows in Generally limestone.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus nuttallianus var. austrinus — Smallflowered 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.