Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Astragalus tener is a species of milkvetch known by the common name alkali milkvetch. It is endemic to California, where it grows in both coastal and inland areas such as the Central Valley, especially in moist places. This is an annual herb producing upright stems up to 30 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to nine centimeters in length and made up of several lance-shaped to oval leaflets. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of pinkish-purple white-smudged flowers. The fruit is a narrow legume pod up to five centimeters long and usually containing two smooth seeds. Varieties: There are three varieties of this species. One, the coastal dunes milkvetch, Astragalus tener var. titi, is a rare plant treated as an endangered species on the federal level. It is probably now limited to coastal Monterey County, having been extirpated from its previous range in southern California. An example occurrence of Astragalus tener is within the two extant forests of Monterey Cypress, Cupressus Macrocarpus, in Monterey County, California.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

0.8 - 12 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, White, Purple

Plant communities

Coastal Strand, Valley Grassland, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 22 likely

Confirmed Likely

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

Orange Sulphur

Colias eurytheme

Harford's Sulphur

Colias harfordii