Walker Pass Milk-Vetch
(Astragalus ertterae )
Fabaceae

Photo Copyright MBG

Description: Perennial herb with long, soft, shaggy hairs. Stems 1 3/8 - 4 inches (3.5-10cm) long, and buried half the length. Stems contain 4-5 leaves, 1 1/8 - 2 1/2 inches (3-6.5cm) long, crowded at the top. Each leaf contains 9-13 reversed spear-shaped leaflets, 1/4 - 1/2 inch (6-13mm) long, with blunt tips. Inflorescence are racemes with a fairly stiff stem, containing 7-17 crowded flowers. Petals are cream colored, with the largest petal (banner) 1/2 inch (10-12mm) long, and curved outward. Fruit is oblong, swollen, 5/8 - 7/8 inches (16-22mm) long, and 1/4 - 3/8 inches (7-9mm) wide.

Distribution:

Habitat: Open, sandy, granitic soil among pines, liveoaks. Elevation 5456 - 6080 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms April - May.

Similar Plants:

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