Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus
Pursh's milkvetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus purshii · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus (Pursh's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated, making ID straightforward.
Pursh's milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the northeastern Mono/Inyo Plateau region on dry plains and slopes, often growing on basalt or pumice landscapes with sagebrush at elevations of 1,200 to 1,850 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pink-purple flowers with pale purple tips, arranged in small clusters of 2 to 7 blooms. Growing with extremely short stems typically 0 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms low, compact clumps characteristic of high desert environments. Its leaves are composed of 3 to 11 small leaflets, each 5 to 15 millimeters long, creating a delicate, finely textured foliage. The distinctive fruit is an incurved pod up to 17 millimeters long, curving more than half a circle and containing 14 to 20 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated, making ID straightforward
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry plains, slopes, often on basalt or pumice, often with sagebrush
Elevation: 1200-1850 m
California counties: Glenn, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Alpine
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus blooms May-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 purshii var. lagopinus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus bloom?
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus grow?
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus occurs in Glenn, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Alpine, at elevations of 1200-1850 m.
What plant family does Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus belong to?
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus grow in?
Astragalus purshii var. lagopinus grows in dry plains, slopes, often on basalt or pumice, often with sagebrush.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus purshii var. lectulus — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii var. purshii — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii var. tinctus — Pursh's milkvetch
- Astragalus pycnostachyus — Loco weed
- Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus — Ventura marsh milkvetch
- Astragalus pycnostachyus var. pycnostachyus — Coastal marsh milkvetch
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.