Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae
Pulsifer's milkvetch, Pulsifer's Milkvetch
(c) Justin Felder, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae (Pulsifer's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by diminutive size and distinctive translucent fruits.
Pulsifer's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and eastern Modoc Plateau in sandy or rocky pine and sagebrush habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pale flowers in compact clusters typical of milkvetch species. Growing with slender stems 15 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clumps characteristic of mountain legume populations. Its pinnately compound leaves have 11 to 19 narrow leaflets, each 5 to 10 millimeters long, arranged in a delicate, feather-like pattern. The fruits are small, inflated legume pods typical of the Astragalus genus, adapted to high-elevation rocky environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species; key features are diminutive size and distinctive translucent fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or rocky soil, often with pines, sagebrush
Elevation: 1300-1900 m
California counties: Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, Los Angeles
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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. pulsiferae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae bloom?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae grow?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae occurs in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, Los Angeles, at elevations of 1300-1900 m.
What plant family does Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae belong to?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae rare or endangered?
Astragalus pulsiferae var. pulsiferae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus purshii var. tinctus — 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.