Astragalus traskiae
Trask's milkvetch
(c) william_hoyer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Astragalus traskiae (Trask's milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by Island endemic with 9 sympatric species; geographic isolation and habitat.
Trask's milkvetch is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the southern Channel Islands including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara islands in sandy coastal bluffs and dunes at elevations generally below 200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in clusters with 12 to 30 ascending or spreading blooms, featuring a banner petal 14 to 18 millimeters long that curves gently. Growing with several ascending stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, this widely branched herb forms an open, leafy structure covered in dense grayish hairs. Its compound leaves are 4 to 10 centimeters long, comprising 21 to 29 leaflets that are approximately 5 to 15 millimeters long and mostly obovate or ovate in shape. The fruit is a pendulous or ascending pod 8 to 16 millimeters long, with a three-sided shape and minute wavy hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Island endemic with 9 sympatric species; geographic isolation and habitat are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy coastal bluffs, dunes
Elevation: generally < 200 m
California counties: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Astragalus traskiae blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 traskiae native to California?
Yes. Astragalus traskiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus traskiae bloom?
Astragalus traskiae blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus traskiae grow?
Astragalus traskiae occurs in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, at elevations of generally < 200 m.
What plant family does Astragalus traskiae belong to?
Astragalus traskiae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
Is Astragalus traskiae rare or endangered?
Astragalus traskiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus tricarinatus — Triple-ribbed milkvetch
- Astragalus trichopodus — Santa barbara milkvetch
- Astragalus trichopodus var. antisellii — Antisell milkvetch
- Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus — Santa barbara milkvetch
- Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus — Santa barbara milkvetch
- Astragalus umbraticus — Bald mountain milkvetch
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.