Native Plants
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Astragalus australis
Astragalus australis (L.) Lam.
Indian Milkvetch
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Astragalus aboriginorum, Astragalus aboriginorum var. fastigiorum, Astragalus aboriginorum var. glabriusculus, Astragalus aboriginorum var. lepagei, Astragalus aboriginorum var. richardsonii, Astragalus australis var. aboriginorum, Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus, Astragalus australis var. lepagei, Astragalus australis var. major, Astragalus australis var. muriei, Astragalus forwoodii, Astragalus forwoodii var. wallowensis, Astragalus glabriusculus var. major, Astragalus linearis, Astragalus richardsonii, Astragalus scrupulicola, Atelophragma aboriginorum
USDA Symbol: ASAU4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Gathered by the Cree and the Stone First Nations as a spring vegetable. Has a broad natural range, from temperate and subarctic Eurasia to western North America in similar environments. Found as far north as Banks Island in Canada and as far south as montane Colorado.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Legume
Fruit: Deep red.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CO , ID , MT , ND , NV , OR , SD , UT , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NT , NU , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Temperate and subarctic Eurasia and western North America as far south as Colorado.
Native Habitat: Prairie/Meadow/Field,Alpine
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Benefit
Use Food: Gathered by North American indigenous people as a spring vegetable.Warning: Plant or part of plant poisonous
Attracts: Butterflies
Bibliography
Bibref 1775 - Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (2007) Aiken, S. G. et al.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Astragalus australis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Astragalus australis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Astragalus australis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-03-16Research By: TWC Staff