Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis
Modoc plateau milkvetch, Modoc Plateau Milkvetch
(c) Justin Felder, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis (Modoc plateau milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinguishable by very small size and unique fruit characteristics.
Modoc plateau milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and eastern Modoc Plateau regions in sandy or gravelly soils with juniper, pine, and sagebrush at elevations of 1,300 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers in small clustered inflorescences. Growing with slender branching stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms delicate spreading clumps in open woodland areas. Its pinnately compound leaves have 11 to 17 leaflets, each approximately 5 to 10 millimeters long, with a soft, grayish-green appearance. The fruit is a small, inflated legume pod characteristic of milkvetch species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species; distinguishable by very small size and unique fruit characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, often with juniper, pines, sagebrush
Elevation: 1300-1900 m
Outside California: western Nevada (Washoe Co.)
Bloom period
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 pulsiferae var. coronensis native to California?
Yes. Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis bloom?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis belong to?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis rare or endangered?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis grow in?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. coronensis grows in Sandy or gravelly soils, often with juniper, pines, sagebrush.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae — Pulsifer's milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae var. suksdorfii — Suksdorf's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii var. lectulus — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii var. 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.