Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae
Ferris' milkvetch
(c) Konshau Duman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae (Ferris' milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by long fruits with stalk-like base distinctive from var. tener.
Ferris' milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Sacramento Valley in alkaline flats and vernally moist meadows at elevations below 60 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small whitish to pale purple flowers in clusters of 3 to 12 blooms. Growing with delicate stems 6 to 26 centimeters tall, it forms slender and spreading branches. Its pinnate leaves are composed of 7 to 15 small leaflets, each approximately 2 to 6 centimeters long. The distinctive fruit is a curved pod 2.7 to 5 centimeters long with a slightly stalk-like base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; long fruits with stalk-like base distinctive from var. tener
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline flats, vernally moist meadows
Elevation: < 60 m
Bloom period
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 tener var. ferrisiae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae bloom?
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae belong to?
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae rare or endangered?
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae grow in?
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae grows in Alkaline flats, vernally moist meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.