Taxon Report

Astragalus umbraticus Sheld.

Bald Mountain milk-vetch

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Taxon Summary

Astragalus umbraticus, commonly known as Bald Mountain milk-vetch, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Cismontane woodland, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 150 to 1250 meters. Astragalus umbraticus is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Astragalus umbraticus Sheld.
Common Name:	Bald Mountain milk-vetch
Family:	Fabaceae
Element Code:	PDFAB0F990
USDA Plants Symbol:	ASUM3
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Aug	May-Aug
Elevation:	150-1250 (490-4100)
General Habitats:	Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Roadsides (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2B.3 to 2B.2 on 2020-05-12 changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	36
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	4
Good (B)	10
Fair (C)	8
Poor (D)	1
None (X)	1
Unknown (U)	12

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Humboldt (HUM)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bald Hills (4112328), Fish Lake (4112336), French Camp Ridge (4112327), Holter Ridge (4112338), Hupa Mountain (4112317), Johnsons (4112337), Lord-ellis Summit (4012387), Maple Creek (4012377), Showers Mtn. (4012356), Tish Tang Point (4112315), Weitchpec (4112326), Willow Creek (4012386)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	7
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	24	67 %
Logging	20	55%
Road/trail construction/maint.	16	44%
Other	9	25%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	2%
Non-native plant impacts	1	2%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	2%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	2%

Notes



On watch list in OR.
Threats:
Threatened by logging and road maintenance.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Astragalus umbraticus profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2018)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 14 November 2025].