Browse Milkvetch
Astragalus cibarius
Last reviewed: August 2026
Browse Milkvetch (Astragalus cibarius) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–12" H × 4"–8" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CO, ID, MT, NV and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Astragalus cibarius is a low-growing native legume that forms compact clumps with small compound leaves. It produces clusters of small flowers from May through July and thrives in sunny, dry conditions. This drought-tolerant perennial requires minimal care once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Browse Milkvetch takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Very small stature may appear sparse in formal settings
- Unknown leaf retention could mean unsightly dormant periods
- Legume growth pattern may look irregular to conventional gardeners
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and beetles during the summer blooming period. As a legume, it also helps improve soil nitrogen for surrounding plants.
Common questions
- How much sun does Browse Milkvetch need?
- Browse Milkvetch grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Browse Milkvetch bloom?
- Browse Milkvetch blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Browse Milkvetch native?
- Browse Milkvetch (Astragalus cibarius) is native to CO, ID, MT, NV and 2 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Browse Milkvetch toxic to dogs?
- Browse Milkvetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Browse Milkvetch toxic to cats?
- Browse Milkvetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Browse Milkvetch attract?
- Browse Milkvetch draws bees and beetles.
- Is Browse Milkvetch HOA-friendly?
- Browse Milkvetch takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Browse Milkvetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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