Taxon Report

Astragalus bernardinus M.E. Jones

San Bernardino milk-vetch

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Taxon Summary

Astragalus bernardinus, commonly known as San Bernardino milk-vetch, is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Joshua tree "woodland", and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 900 to 2000 meters. Astragalus bernardinus is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Astragalus bernardinus M.E. Jones
Common Name:
 San Bernardino milk-vetch
Family: Fabaceae
Element Code: PDFAB0F190
USDA Plants Symbol: ASBE4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun Apr-Jun
Elevation: 900-2000 (2955-6560)
General Habitats: Joshua tree "woodland", Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat: Carbonate (often), Granitic (often)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G3
State Rank:
 S3
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1B.2 on 2011-02-16

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 42
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 42

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Riverside (RIV), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Bear City (3411637), Bighorn Canyon (3411635), Castle Peaks (3511532), Cima (3511525), Cima Dome (3511535), Conejo Well (3311576), Cottonwood Spring (3311567), Cougar Buttes (3411647), East Deception Canyon (3311683), Fawnskin (3411638), Hayfield (3311566), Indian Cove (3411612), Joshua (3511534), Joshua Tree South (3411613), Keys View (3311682), Malapai Hill (3311681), Mescal Range (3511545), Mid Hills (3511524), Mineral Hill (3511544), Mortmar (3311558), Onyx Peak (3411626), Porcupine Wash (3311577), Queen Mtn. (3411611), Rattlesnake Canyon (3411636), Rimrock (3411625), Rockhouse Canyon (3311671), Yucca Valley North (3411624)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 2 %
Other 1 2%

Notes
Historic report from the Charleston Mtns. of NV lacks documentation. Potentially threatened by mining, development, grazing, and recreational activities.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Proposed New Add to Rank 4.2 1B.2, G3 / S3 (2011)
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].