Astragalus curtipes

Common Names

Morro milkvetch, Morro Milkvetch, South Coast Milk Vetch

Summary

Morro milkvetch is a clump-forming perennial herb native to the Central Coast of California, from Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County to Point Arguello, with island populations on San Miguel and Santa Rosa. It grows in coastal sage scrub and coastal strand, as well as grassy and brushy hillsides, rocky bluffs and fallow fields near the coast, at elevations of about 10–200 m. The plant has erect or ascending stems with a dense coat of rough, woolly hairs; gray-green leaves up to 16 cm long with 25–39 fuzzy leaflets; and an inflorescence of 15–35 creamy flowers, sometimes with lilac-tipped keels, followed by an inflated legume pod about 2–3 cm long containing many seeds.

For cultivation and practical considerations, it is a coastal California native occurring in coastal sage scrub and coastal strand habitats on serpentine/metamorphic bedrock, with a typical elevation range of 10–200 m; mainland populations extend from the mouth of San Simeon Creek to Point Arguello, and island populations occur on San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Its clump-forming habit and thick taproot may influence establishment, and it provides wildlife value by supporting caterpillars and butterflies.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-16 inches

Soil Type

Serpentine soil

Bloom Color

Cream, White, Lilac, Purple, Violet

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Gray-green

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Winter, Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies