Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus
Turkey peas
Photo: parent species Astragalus nuttallianus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus (Turkey peas) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by calyx tube proportions and leaflet tips.
Turkey peas is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert in sandy or gravelly flats and washes at elevations of 250 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small pale flowers with acute leaflet tips. Growing with delicate stems up to several dozen centimeters tall, it forms loose, spreading clusters. Its compound leaves have numerous small leaflets with sharp, pointed tips, creating a fine, intricate texture. The fruit develops with short, ascending hairs on a calyx tube approximately 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; key features are calyx tube proportions and leaflet tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly flats, washes
Elevation: 250-2150 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus blooms Mar-May.
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 var. imperfectus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus bloom?
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus grow?
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of 250-2150 m.
What plant family does Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus belong to?
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus grow in?
Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus grows in Sandy or gravelly flats, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.