Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus
Santa barbara milkvetch
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus (Santa barbara milkvetch) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by low elevation coastal habitat and equally convex pod sutures are key.
Santa barbara milkvetch is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal areas including southern coastal and northern peninsular regions in coastal bluffs and low grassy hills at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small whitish to pale purple flowers in clusters of 10 to 50 blooms. Growing with slender stems up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms delicate spreading clumps. Its leaves are composed of multiple small leaflets, creating a soft, feathery appearance. The distinctive fruit is a bladdery pod 13 to 35 millimeters long with slightly convex sides, typically appearing glabrous or smooth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; low elevation coastal habitat and equally convex pod sutures are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, low grassy hills
Elevation: < 350 m
Bloom period
Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus blooms Mar-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. trichopodus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus bloom?
Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus belong to?
Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus grow in?
Astragalus trichopodus var. trichopodus grows in Coastal bluffs, low grassy hills.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Astragalus whitneyi var. siskiyouensis — Siskiyou milkvetch
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.