Astragalus shevockii
Shevock's milkvetch
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Astragalus shevockii (Shevock's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by wiry growth, cream flowers, and distinctive fruit shape diagnostic.
Shevock's milkvetch is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.3 by CNPS, found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in southeastern Tulare County, growing in Jeffrey-pine forest on granitic sand at approximately 1,900 meters elevation. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces cream-colored flowers with banners and keels approximately 9 to 10 millimeters long, arched about 75 degrees. Growing with decumbent to ascending slender stems 10 to 35 centimeters tall, it has a wiry, open habit with sparse hairs. Its leaves are 2.5 to 6.5 centimeters long with 9 to 17 spaced, roughly elliptical leaflets measuring 2 to 10 millimeters. The fruit is an ascending, papery pod 13 to 31 millimeters long, slightly incurved and hairy, with distinctive three-sided characteristics near its base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; wiry growth, cream flowers, and distinctive fruit shape diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic sand, Jeffrey-pine forest
Elevation: +- 1900 m.
California counties: Tulare
Bloom period
Astragalus shevockii blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 shevockii native to California?
Yes. Astragalus shevockii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus shevockii bloom?
Astragalus shevockii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Astragalus shevockii grow?
Astragalus shevockii occurs in Tulare, at elevations of +- 1900 m..
What plant family does Astragalus shevockii belong to?
Astragalus shevockii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus shevockii rare or endangered?
Astragalus shevockii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, 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.