Freckled Milkvetch
Astragalus lentiginosus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Freckled Milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Freckled Milkvetch is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Freckled milkvetch is a low-growing native perennial that forms compact mounds of silvery-green foliage. It produces clusters of purple or white pea-like flowers from May through July, followed by inflated seed pods.
In an HOA neighborhood
Freckled 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.
- Appears weedy and unkempt to most HOAs
- Seed pods can look messy
- May be confused with invasive vetches
Wildlife value
This plant attracts native bees and butterflies during its extended blooming period. As a legume, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil.
Common questions
- How much sun does Freckled Milkvetch need?
- Freckled Milkvetch grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Freckled Milkvetch bloom?
- Freckled Milkvetch blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Freckled Milkvetch native?
- Freckled Milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Freckled Milkvetch toxic to livestock?
- Freckled Milkvetch is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- What pollinators does Freckled Milkvetch attract?
- Freckled Milkvetch draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Freckled Milkvetch HOA-friendly?
- Freckled 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Freckled Milkvetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz