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Astragalus purshii  Douglas
Pursh loco milkvetch,   Pursh's milk vetch,   Pursh's sheeppod
© 2023 John Doyen
© 2023 Donald Burk
© 2022 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2020 Bob Sweatt
© 2023 John Doyen
© 2020 Bob Sweatt
© 2023 John Doyen
© 2022 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2023 John Doyen
© 2021 R.A. Chasey
© 2012 Gerald Carr
© 2020 Bob Sweatt
© 2006 Steve Matson
© 2006 Steve Matson
© 2003 Steve Matson
© 2003 Steve Matson
© 2003 Steve Matson
© 2012 Gerald Carr
© 2012 Gerald Carr
© 2024 Mike Russler
Astragalus purshii is a perennial herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Subspecies and Varieties:
Genus: Astragalus
Family: Fabaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Toxicity: Do not eat any part of this plant.

Communities: Sagebrush Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, Alpine Fell-fields, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Information about  Astragalus purshii from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (ASPU9)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Cultivation: Astragalus purshii is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is an excellent rock garden plant, as a serial ephemeral species, and an addition to municipal and agency sustainable landscape and restoration projects. It is also a component for reclamation projects. Seeds do not require stratification and are tolerant of low precipitation and drought (municipal landscaping candidate to reduce water usage). Plants are hardy to -33F.[3][4] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 04/22/2025).