Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii

Ocean bluff milkvetch, Ocean Bluff Milkvetch

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Ocean bluff milkvetch is a native perennial found in the central California Coast (CCo) bioregion on rock, sandy areas, and coastal bluffs at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white to pale purple flowers in small clusters. Growing with prostrate or decumbent stems that may ascend when sheltered, it spreads low across rocky coastal terrain. Its leaves are composed of multiple small leaflets, typical of milkvetch species, with a low-growing habit that helps it survive in exposed coastal environments. The plant's distinctive fruits are slightly hairy, particularly when young, helping to protect its developing seeds in the harsh coastal landscape.

Habitat: Rock, sandy areas, bluffs

Bloom period: All year

Elevation: < 250 m

Bioregions: CCo.

California counties: Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Mendocino

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.