Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Astragalus filipes is a species of milkvetch known by the common name basalt milkvetch. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Utah, where it grows in many types of habitat, especially dry areas. Astragalus filipes is a clumpy perennial herb growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and made up of several widely spaced leaflets which are linear to oval in shape. The open inflorescence holds up to 30 off-white to pale yellow flowers each 1 to 1. 5 centimeters long. Astragalus filipes is a clumpy perennial herb growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and made up of several widely spaced leaflets which are linear to oval in shape. The open inflorescence holds up to 30 off-white to pale yellow flowers each 1 to 1. 5 centimeters long. The fruit is a hanging legume pod up to 3 centimeters long. It is long and thin and dries to a papery texture.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

White, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Plant communities

Sagebrush Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 23 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Orange Sulphur

Colias eurytheme