Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus
Santa barbara milkvetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus (Santa barbara milkvetch) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive bladdery ovate pods.
Santa barbara milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the central and southern California Coast Ranges, northern Channel Islands, western Peninsular Ranges, and southwestern Mojave Desert in coastal bluffs and fields at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces white to purple flowers in clusters with 12 to 36 blossoms, with banner petals 11 to 19 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems that form low, spreading clumps, it develops a compact ground-hugging habit. Its leaves are compound with multiple small leaflets, typical of milkvetch species, creating a delicate, feathery appearance. The fruit is a distinctive bladdery pod 17 to 45 millimeters long, ovate in shape, with hairy sides north of San Diego and sometimes glabrous to the south.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; distinctive bladdery ovate pods are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, fields
Elevation: < 1100 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Bernardino, Monterey, Alameda, Colusa
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus blooms Feb-Jun.
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 trichopodus var. lonchus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus bloom?
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus grow?
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of < 1100 m.
What plant family does Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus belong to?
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus grow in?
Astragalus trichopodus var. lonchus grows in Coastal bluffs, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus — Santa barbara milkvetch
- Astragalus umbraticus — Bald mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus webberi — Webber's milkvetch
- Astragalus whitneyi — Balloon milkvetch
- Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus — Conelike milkvetch
- Astragalus whitneyi var. lenophyllus — Woolly-leaved milkvetch
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.