Astragalus preussii var. preussii
Preuss' milkvetch, Preuss' Milkvetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus preussii · (c) Darrin Gobble, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Astragalus preussii var. preussii (Preuss' milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by clay flat habitat and robust size.
Preuss' milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in eastern Mojave Desert regions of southeastern Inyo and northeastern San Bernardino counties in clay flats and sandy washes at elevations around 750 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate white to pale lavender flowers in small clusters. Growing with slender stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clumps characteristic of desert milkvetches. Its compound leaves have numerous small leaflets, typically 7 to 11 per leaf, arranged in a pinnate pattern with each leaflet approximately 5 to 10 millimeters long. The species extends its range beyond California into Utah and Arizona, thriving in the sparse, rocky landscapes of the desert southwest.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; key features are clay flat habitat and robust size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay flats, sandy washes
Elevation: +- 750 m.
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Astragalus preussii var. preussii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 preussii var. preussii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus preussii var. preussii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus preussii var. preussii bloom?
Astragalus preussii var. preussii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Astragalus preussii var. preussii grow?
Astragalus preussii var. preussii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of +- 750 m..
What plant family does Astragalus preussii var. preussii belong to?
Astragalus preussii var. preussii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus preussii var. preussii rare or endangered?
Astragalus preussii var. preussii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus pseudiodanthus — Tonopah milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae — Ames' milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis — Modoc plateau milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae — Pulsifer's milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae var. suksdorfii — Suksdorf's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii — Pursh's milkvetch
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.