Astragalus tener

Common Names

Alkali Milkvetch, Coastal Dunes Milkvetch

Summary

Alkali milkvetch is a California-endemic annual herb with upright stems 6–30 cm tall, leaves 2–9 cm long bearing 7–17 lance-shaped to oval leaflets, and a dense 2–12-flowered raceme of pinkish-purple flowers with white-smudged corollas; a slender legume pod 0.6–5 cm long usually contains two smooth seeds. It occurs in moist coastal and inland habitats, including the Central Valley, coastal dunes, and vernally moist meadows, often in alkaline soils with a variety of wetland associations.

It grows in moist, alkaline soils such as playas, alkaline vernal pools, coastal dunes, valley grassland, wetlands, and disturbed habitats; a California-native with three varieties, including var. titi (coastal dunes milkvetch) that is federally endangered and extirpated from several counties, with some populations protected at Jepson Prairie Preserve. Overall conservation status includes IUCN Endangered and CNPS List 1B, and it provides ecological value by supporting caterpillars and butterflies.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

1-12 inches

Soil Type

Alkaline soil

Soil Drainage

Poor drainage

Soil pH

Alkaline soils (high pH)

Bloom Color

Pink, White, Purple

Bloom Time

Spring

Growth Rate

Annual

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, likely moths