Astragalus pachypus
Thick pod milkvetch
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus pachypus (Thick pod milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family.
Thick pod milkvetch is a California native perennial herb found in rocky or disturbed areas at moderate elevations. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate white or cream to lemon yellow flowers with banners 15 to 22 millimeters long that recurve at approximately 45 degrees. Growing with robust, rigid stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall and appearing bushy and sparsely leafy, it develops a wiry, somewhat erect habit. Its compound leaves span 2.5 to 16.5 centimeters and feature 11 to 27 narrow leaflets spaced along the stem, each leaflet measuring 3 to 34 millimeters long. The distinctive fruit is stiff-leathery, ascending or spreading, with a body 12 to 28 millimeters long and a short, sharp, persistent beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Inyo
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 pachypus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus pachypus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Astragalus pachypus grow?
Astragalus pachypus occurs in Riverside, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Astragalus pachypus belong to?
Astragalus pachypus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
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.