Astragalus lentiginosus
freckled milkvetch
Overview
Astragalus lentiginosus is a highly variable perennial or short-lived herb of dry western habitats, growing 4-20 inches (10-50 cm) tall in low, spreading to ascending clumps. The pinnately compound leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long with numerous small oval leaflets, green to grey-green and often hairy. Pea-like flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) long appear in spring in short clusters, ranging from pink-purple to whitish or cream depending on the variety. The flowers are followed by inflated, bladder-like pods 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-4 cm) long, often mottled or speckled with red-purple, which gives the plant its common name. Dozens of named varieties differ in size, flower color, and pod shape across its range. Plants grow from a deep taproot and tolerate dry, sparse soils. Some populations take up selenium from the soil and are toxic to livestock and other animals that graze them; toxicity varies widely by location and variety.
Native Range
Native to western North America from British Columbia and the Great Plains west to California and south into Mexico. Grows in deserts, sagebrush scrub, dry grasslands, and open slopes from near sea level to about 11,000 feet (3,400 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native, desert, and habitat gardens and in dryland restoration on sandy or gravelly soils. Suited to unirrigated, sharply drained sites rather than watered borders. Established from seed sown in place because of the deep taproot.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'6"
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from March through June depending on elevation and rainfall, earlier in low deserts and later in the mountains. Bloom lasts a few weeks, followed quickly by the inflated pods. Flowering is heavier in years with good winter and spring moisture.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink-purple to creamFoliage Description
Grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight