Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus
Egg milkvetch, Egg Milkvetch
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus (Egg milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large flowers and distinctive egg-shaped fruits.
Egg milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada and northern Desert Mountains in dry, open sagebrush and pinyon pine areas at elevations of 1,500 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale yellow flowers in clusters. Growing with spreading stems 20 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms loose, somewhat sprawling clusters. Its compound leaves have numerous small leaflets, typically 7 to 11 leaflets per leaf, each oval-shaped and soft green. The plant produces distinctive egg-shaped seed pods, reflecting its evocative common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 63 sympatric species; key features are large flowers and distinctive egg-shaped fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often sagebrush, pinyon pine
Elevation: 1500-3300 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Bloom period
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. oophorus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus bloom?
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus grow?
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 1500-3300 m.
What plant family does Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus belong to?
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus rare or endangered?
Astragalus oophorus var. oophorus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3S4.
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.