How much sun does Pursh Milk-Vetch need?

Pursh Milk-Vetch grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Pursh Milk-Vetch bloom?

Pursh Milk-Vetch blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Pursh Milk-Vetch native?

Pursh Milk-Vetch (Astragalus purshii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Pursh Milk-Vetch toxic to livestock?

Pursh Milk-Vetch 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 Pursh Milk-Vetch attract?

Pursh Milk-Vetch draws bees and butterflies.

Is Pursh Milk-Vetch HOA-friendly?

Pursh Milk-Vetch takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pursh Milk-Vetch

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Astragalus purshii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Pursh Milk-Vetch (Astragalus purshii) 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.

Pursh Milk-Vetch is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as 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

CA, CO, ID, MT and 7 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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

Pursh's milkvetch is a low-growing native wildflower that forms compact mounds with silvery-green foliage and purple pea-like flowers. This drought-tolerant perennial blooms from May through July and thrives in full sun with minimal water once established. It's well-suited for rock gardens, xeric landscapes, and naturalized areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pursh Milk-Vetch 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 too wild and unstructured for formal landscapes
May look sparse or weedy to conventional gardeners
Unknown leaf retention could mean untidy dormant appearance

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the spring and summer blooming period. As a legume, it also helps improve soil nitrogen for surrounding plants.

Common questions

How much sun does Pursh Milk-Vetch need?: Pursh Milk-Vetch grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Pursh Milk-Vetch bloom?: Pursh Milk-Vetch blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Pursh Milk-Vetch native?: Pursh Milk-Vetch (Astragalus purshii) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Pursh Milk-Vetch toxic to dogs?: Pursh Milk-Vetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Pursh Milk-Vetch toxic to cats?: Pursh Milk-Vetch is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Pursh Milk-Vetch toxic to livestock?: Pursh Milk-Vetch 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 Pursh Milk-Vetch attract?: Pursh Milk-Vetch draws bees and butterflies.
Is Pursh Milk-Vetch HOA-friendly?: Pursh Milk-Vetch 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.

See all plant problem guides

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