Astragalus sabulonum
Gravel milkvetch
(c) Dominic Gentilcore, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dominic Gentilcore · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Astragalus sabulonum (Gravel milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive hairy texture and curved fuzzy fruits diagnostic.
Gravel milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in southern California deserts in sandy and gravelly habitats at elevations from 50 meters below sea level to 900 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces dingy cream flowers with lilac tints, with banner petals 5.2 to 7.2 millimeters long that curve back 50 to 70 degrees. Growing low and leafy with erect or decumbent stems 2 to 26 centimeters tall, it has dense ascending or spreading wavy hairs. Its compound leaves are 1.5 to 6.5 centimeters long with 5 to 15 oblanceolate leaflets 2 to 13 millimeters long, featuring blunt tips that are slightly notched. The distinctive leathery fruit is 9 to 20 millimeters long, ovate in shape, with stiff spreading wavy hairs and often abruptly incurved near the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; distinctive hairy texture and curved fuzzy fruits diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand, gravel
Elevation: -50-900 m
California counties: Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo
Outside California: to Utah, New Mexico, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Astragalus sabulonum blooms Feb-Jul(Nov--Apr in se California).
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 sabulonum native to California?
Yes. Astragalus sabulonum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus sabulonum bloom?
Astragalus sabulonum blooms Feb-Jul(Nov--Apr in se California).
Where in California does Astragalus sabulonum grow?
Astragalus sabulonum occurs in Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, at elevations of -50-900 m.
What plant family does Astragalus sabulonum belong to?
Astragalus sabulonum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus sabulonum rare or endangered?
Astragalus sabulonum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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.