It is native to the Great Basin deserts of Nevada and eastern California, such as the Tonopah area, where it grows in sandy habitat.

This plant is named for the very similar Astragalus iodanthus, of which it is sometimes treated as a variety.

The leaves are up to 5 centimeters long and are made up of small crowded leaflets.

The inflorescence is a cluster of reddish purple flowers.

The fruit is a legume pod up to about 2.5 centimeters long.