Taxon Report

Astragalus ertterae Barneby & Shevock

Walker Pass milk-vetch

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Astragalus ertterae, commonly known as Walker Pass milk-vetch, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Pinyon and juniper woodland (granitic, and sandy), growing at elevations from 1705 to 1900 meters. Astragalus ertterae is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Astragalus ertterae Barneby & Shevock
Common Name:
Walker Pass milk-vetch
Family: Fabaceae
Element Code: PDFAB0FB30
USDA Plants Symbol: ASER6
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-May Apr-May
Elevation: 1705-1900 (5595-6235)
General Habitats: Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Walker Pass (3511861)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 75 %
Grazing 3 75%
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 50%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 25%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 25%

Notes

Known in CA from only the Walker Pass area. See Aliso 11(4):585-588 (1987) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 5 February 2025].