Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii
Rattan's milkvetch
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii (Rattan's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to n&c NCoR.
Rattan's milkvetch is a California native annual found in northern and central Coast Ranges on riverbanks and sandbars at elevations of 50 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate pink-purple flowers with white wing tips and claws, typically arranged in clusters of 2 to 10 blossoms. Growing with slender stems, it develops compound leaves with 5 to 13 small leaflets. Its leaf structure features multiple fine leaflets giving the plant a delicate, intricate appearance. The fruit is a small, characteristic legume typical of milkvetch species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated to n&c NCoR
Habitat and range
Habitat: Often riverbanks, sandbars
Elevation: 50-1500 m
California counties: Trinity, Mendocino, Humboldt, Glenn, Lake
Bloom period
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 rattanii var. rattanii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii bloom?
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii grow?
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii occurs in Trinity, Mendocino, Humboldt, Glenn, Lake, at elevations of 50-1500 m.
What plant family does Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii belong to?
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii rare or endangered?
Astragalus rattanii var. rattanii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.