Cushenberry Milk-Vetch
(Astragalus albens )
Fabaceae

Photo Copyright Roxanne Bittman and CNPS

Description: A many branched perennial that is covered in silvery hairs.  Stems are 2-4 dm long.  Leaflets are 9-11mm long and are oval to elliptical in shape.  Flowers are in short dense racemes.  Calyx tube is short and covered in silky hairs.  Petals are purple.  Pods are linear, wrinkled, 15-20mm long, strongly curved and covered with stiff hairs.

Distribution: Known only from the northeastern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains near Cushenbury Canyon.

Habitat: Found along rocky washes and gentle slopes.  Is found associated with carbonate soils in pinyon juniper woodlands.  Elevation range is 4,000-5,800ft.

Flowering Period: March-May

Similar Plants:

Status: Federal Endangered, California Native Plant Society List 1B