Taxon Report

Astragalus argophyllus T. & G. var. argophyllus

silver-leaved milk-vetch

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Taxon Summary

Astragalus argophyllus var. argophyllus, commonly known as silver-leaved milk-vetch, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, and Playas, growing at elevations from 1240 to 2350 meters. Astragalus argophyllus var. argophyllus is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Astragalus argophyllus T. & G. var. argophyllus
Common Name:	silver-leaved milk-vetch
Family:	Fabaceae
Element Code:	PDFAB0F0S1
USDA Plants Symbol:	ASARA
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul	May-Jul
Elevation:	1240-2350 (4070-7710)
General Habitats:	Meadows and seeps, Playas
Microhabitat:	Alkaline (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:	Sometimes saline

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G5T4
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	9
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	6
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	1
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	1

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), Lassen (LAS), Mono (MNO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Smoke Creek Ranch (4011958), Cherry Mtn. (4012051), Chidago Canyon (3711854), Fish Slough (3711844), Laws (3711843)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	8
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	8	89 %
Grazing	6	66%
ORV activity	4	44%
Other	1	11%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	11%
Vandalism/dumping/litter	1	11%
Groundwater pumping	1	11%
Non-native plant impacts	1	11%
Development	1	11%

Notes



See Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 13:626-628 (1964) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Threatened by grazing and trampling; BLM will fence both LAS Co. occurrences.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 18 November 2025].