Astragalus lentiginosus, commonly known as Spotted Locoweed or Freckled Milkvetch, is a perennial or occasionally annual herb that is part of the legume family. It is native to a variety of habitats in western North America, including sagebrush, open woodlands, grasslands, and areas with alkaline soils, from the Rocky Mountains to the California Coast Ranges, and from southern Mexico to British Columbia. Typically, it reaches a height of 0.3 to 2 feet with a similar spread. The plant has pinnately compound leaves up to 6 inches long with numerous small leaflets and an inflorescence that can hold up to 50 pea-like flowers. The flowers, blooming from April to July, range in color from purplish to whitish, and are followed by distinctive inflated, beaked legume pods.

Spotted Locoweed is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which can improve soil fertility, and its drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It is also used in habitat restoration projects. While it is not typically used in ornamental horticulture, it can be found in native plant gardens and naturalized areas. Spotted Locoweed requires well-drained soils, tolerates a range of soil types, including those with high calcium carbonate, and thrives in full sun to part shade. Gardeners should be cautious as it can be toxic to livestock and can accumulate selenium.CC BY-SA 4.0