Astragalus accidens var. hendersonii

Common Names

Henderson's Milkvetch, Henderson's Milk Vetch, Henderson's Milk-Vetch

Summary

Henderson's milkvetch is a perennial herb native to California with a distribution from Jackson County, Oregon to northern California, occurring in Foothill Woodland and Northern Oak Woodland habitats at elevations from 0 to 1250 m. It grows to about 30–55 cm tall, with leaves 3–12 cm long bearing 15–30 leaflets; the inflorescence carries 7–15 white flowers in a loose panicle in spring to early summer, followed by a legume about 16–25 mm long.

Cultivation favors moderately humic, medium-moisture soil in partial shade with good drainage; propagation is by spring sowing after scarification, with germination in 1–3 months at 10–13 °C, or by late-summer cuttings. It is toxic if any part is eaten, so handling and planting should reflect safety considerations; in landscapes it can be incorporated as a native plant in foothill and oak woodland plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-19.5 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained basaltic soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, including sandy soils.

Bloom Color

White to whitish; dries to ochroleucous or yellowish.

Bloom Time

Spring and early Summer

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds (spring sowing after scarification), Cuttings (end of summer)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, likely moths