Critically Imperiled Plant Profile (Not Listed or Proposed under the Endangered Species Act)
Both flowers and fruits are needed to identify the varieties in this very diversified species of milkvetch. Photo by Krissy Walker.
This variety is a strong perennial, with prostrate stems radiating from a central point. Contrary to the varietal name sierra, this plant is unknown from the Sierra Nevada, but is narrowly endemic to the lake basins at the east end of the San Bernardino Mountains. Photo by Naomi Fraga.
Seedpods are inflated and papery when ripe. Photo by Thomas Stoughton.
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae range map.
Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae, Big Bear milkvetch
Threats
- Endemic to California, Astragalus lentiginosus var. sierrae is known only from Big Bear Valley and the Baldwin Lake region in San Bernardino County. Urbanization is a threat to this species.