Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus
Conelike milkvetch
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus (Conelike milkvetch) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by spreading hairs and large hairy pods distinguish from other varieties.
Conelike milkvetch is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in open areas and hillsides, often in sagebrush habitat at elevations of 800 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to pink or lilac-tinged flowers with banner petals 12.8 to 17.2 millimeters long. Growing with low to robust gray or silvery stems, it forms a distinctive plant with spreading herbal hairs. Its compound leaves extend 2 to 10 centimeters long, with noticeable spaces between leaflets. The plant produces distinctive fruits with bodies 1.7 to 6 centimeters long, covered in minute curved hairs and supported by a 4 to 9 millimeter stalk-like base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; spreading hairs and large hairy pods distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas, hillsides, often sagebrush
Elevation: 800-2300 m
California counties: Modoc, Plumas, Lassen, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus blooms Apr-Jul.
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 whitneyi var. confusus native to California?
Yes. Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus bloom?
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus grow?
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus occurs in Modoc, Plumas, Lassen, Siskiyou, at elevations of 800-2300 m.
What plant family does Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus belong to?
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus.
What habitat does Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus grow in?
Astragalus whitneyi var. confusus grows in Open areas, hillsides, often sagebrush.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Astragalus whitneyi var. lenophyllus — Woolly-leaved milkvetch
- Astragalus whitneyi var. siskiyouensis — Siskiyou milkvetch
- Astragalus whitneyi var. whitneyi — Balloonpod milkvetch
- Astragalus accidens var. hendersonii — Henderson's milkvetch
- Astragalus acutirostris — Beaked rattle weed
- Astragalus agnicidus — Humboldt county milkvetch
- Bituminaria bituminosa — Arabian pea
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.