Several workers have suggested that species with restricted ranges and few individuals are more likely to be self‐compatible and to exhibit low levels of inbreeding depression than are geographically widespread congeners. To investigate these predicted patterns, controlled pollinations were performed in the field on populations of two restricted and two widespread species of Astragalus. All four species are xerophytic perennials which have similar floral size and morphology. Both restricted A. linifolius and restricted A. osterhouti are self‐compatible, and A. linifolius is moderately autogamous. Widespread A. lonchocarpus is self‐compatible, but widespread A. pectinatus is essentially self‐incompatible. Neither the restricted nor the widespread species exhibited evidence of fecundity components of inbreeding depression (as measured by percent seed set and percent embryo abortion). Seedlings of A. linifolius and A. lonchocarpus that had been produced by self‐ and cross‐fertilization were grown in a growth chamber to investigate progeny viability components of inbreeding depression. In contrast to the predicted patterns, inbreeding depression was detected in progeny of restricted A. linifolius, but not in progeny of widespread A. lonchocarpus. These patterns emphasize the importance of studying inbreeding depression in additional restricted and widespread species at several stages of the life cycle.