Astragalus nuttallianus
Small-flowered milkvetch, Small-Flowered Milkvetch
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus nuttallianus (Small-flowered milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family.
Small-flowered milkvetch is a California native annual herb found in dry, open habitats across California's interior valleys and coastal ranges. Flowering from March to May, this delicate plant produces small white to faintly lilac-tinged flowers measuring 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender, prostrate or ascending stems 10 to 45 centimeters long that are minutely hairy, it forms a delicate ground-hugging structure. Its compound leaves are 1.5 to 6.5 centimeters long, composed of 5 to 13 small elliptic leaflets 2 to 10 millimeters long, with upper leaflets having acute tips. The plant produces linear, gently curved seed pods 10 to 20 millimeters long that mature to a dark brown or nearly black color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, Imperial, Monterey, San Diego
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 nuttallianus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus nuttallianus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Astragalus nuttallianus grow?
Astragalus nuttallianus occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, Imperial, Monterey, San Diego.
What plant family does Astragalus nuttallianus belong to?
Astragalus nuttallianus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus nuttallianus var. austrinus — Smallflowered milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallianus var. cedrosensis — Cedros milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus — Turkey peas
- Astragalus nuttallii — Nuttall's milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii — Ocean bluff milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallii var. virgatus — Nuttall's 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.