Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus
Ventura marsh milkvetch, Ventura Marsh Milkvetch
Photo: parent species Astragalus pycnostachyus · (c) joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura marsh milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by white-woolly appearance and coastal habitat distinctive.
Ventura marsh milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in central Southern California coastal areas in disturbed sandy or gravelly open habitats at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white or cream flowers in dense clusters, entirely covered in soft white woolly hairs. Growing with low-spreading stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact cushion-like clumps with a distinctive woolly appearance. Its pinnately compound leaves have multiple small leaflets densely covered in white woolly indumentum, giving the entire plant a silvery-white aesthetic. The fruit is a sparsely strigose pod containing 8 to 12 ovules, reflecting the plant's adaptation to harsh coastal environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; white-woolly appearance and coastal habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, open, sand to gravel
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Marin, Los Angeles, Ventura
Bloom period
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus bloom?
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus grow?
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus occurs in Marin, Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus belong to?
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus rare or endangered?
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.