U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Lens-Pod Milk-Vetch
(Astragalus lentiformis )
Fabaceae

Photo Copyright 2003 Gary A. Monroe
BLM Photograph

Description:

Perennial herb from a woody taproot. Finely hairy with curly hairs, and many spreading branches. Leaves 5/8 - 1-1/8 inches long (1.5-3 cm) with 11-13 leaflets that are 1/8 - 3/8 inches long (3-8 mm) and wider above the middle and toward the tip than at the base (oblanceolate). Flower stalks loosely 5-8 flowered. Flowers pale yellow, banner 1/4 inch long (6-7 mm). Pods ellipsoid, compressed, 3/8 inches long (8-9 mm), 1/8 inch broad (3 mm), with fine wavy hairs.

Identifying Features:

1. Small yellow pea-like flowers.

2. Small flat fine hairy pod.

Distribution: Southeast PlumasCounty. Within public lands administered by the Eagle Lake Field Office, located southwest of Portola at Clairville Flat. On Plumas National Forest around Red Clover Valley.

Habitat: Dry sandy soil in sagebrush or open pine forest at 4,800 to 5,300 feet (1463 - 1615 meters).

Flowering Period: May - June.

Similar Plants: Ames milkvetch (Astragalus pulsiferae) but it has a deeply buried root-crown and inflated pod.

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B

 

Glossary of
Plant Terms

Diagram of Plant Parts

Definitions of
Plant Status

  Field Office: Eagle Lake