Astragalus panamintensis
Panamint milkvetch
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus panamintensis (Panamint milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by nest-like mat form and limestone habitat.
Panamint milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the northern Desert Mountains of Inyo County in limestone cracks and pinyon-juniper woodland at elevations of 950 to 2,150 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with a banner 8 to 14 millimeters long, curved at about 45 degrees. Growing as a mat-forming herb with wiry, incurved branches and slender stems 1 to 15 centimeters tall, it creates a distinctive nest-like appearance. Its leaves are 1.5 to 12 centimeters long, composed of 5 to 11 narrow linear-elliptic leaflets 2 to 14 millimeters long with acute tips. The spreading or ascending fruit is 8 to 18 millimeters long, densely covered in stiff hairs and becoming papery with age.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; key features are nest-like mat form and limestone habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Cracks, limestone ledges, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 950-2150 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Astragalus panamintensis blooms Apr-Jun.
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 panamintensis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus panamintensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus panamintensis bloom?
Astragalus panamintensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus panamintensis grow?
Astragalus panamintensis occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 950-2150 m.
What plant family does Astragalus panamintensis belong to?
Astragalus panamintensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus panamintensis grow in?
Astragalus panamintensis grows in Cracks, limestone ledges, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.