Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri
Jaeger's bush milkvetch
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri (Jaeger's bush milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by higher leaflet count and desert-edge habitat.
Jaeger's bush milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Peninsular Ranges (including San Jacinto Mountains) and northwestern edge of the Desert Southwest bioregions in rocky or sandy areas at elevations of 450 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from December to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale lavender flowers in small clustered inflorescences. Growing with spreading to ascending stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and somewhat low-growing habit. Its compound leaves feature 15 to 25 small leaflets, each approximately oblong and arranged pinnately along slender stems. The fruit is a distinctive pod characteristic of milkvetch species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; key feature is higher leaflet count and desert-edge habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy areas
Elevation: 450-1200 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, Kern, Ventura, San Benito, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri blooms Dec-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 var. jaegeri native to California?
Yes. Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri bloom?
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri blooms Dec-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri grow?
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri occurs in Riverside, San Diego, Kern, Ventura, San Benito, Los Angeles, at elevations of 450-1200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri belong to?
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri rare or endangered?
Astragalus pachypus var. jaegeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.