Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii
Lavin's milkvetch
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii (Lavin's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by elevation and flower size.
Lavin's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in the Bodie Hills and Sweetwater Mountains of Mono County in dry, open sagebrush and pinyon pine areas at elevations of approximately 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in small clusters characteristic of the milkvetch genus. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, low-growing habit typical of high-elevation legumes. Its pinnately compound leaves have multiple small leaflets, creating a delicate, feathery appearance that helps the plant blend into its arid mountain habitat. The plant's distribution extends beyond California into western and central Nevada, highlighting its adaptation to harsh, high-elevation environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; key features are elevation and flower size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often sagebrush, pinyon pine
Elevation: +- 2000 m.
California counties: Mono
Outside California: western and central Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 oophorus var. lavinii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii bloom?
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii grow?
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii occurs in Mono, at elevations of +- 2000 m..
What plant family does Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii belong to?
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii rare or endangered?
Astragalus oophorus var. lavinii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.