SafePlants

Ground Plum (Astragalus crassicarpus)

Astragalus crassicarpus, commonly known as Ground Plum, is a perennial herb belonging to the Fabaceae (Pea) family. Other common names include Groundplum Milkvetch, Buffalo Bean, Buffalo Plum, Prairie Plum, Buffalo Pea, Buffalo Plum, and Pomme de Prairie.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant has a "beaklike point" on its fruit.
• The plant belongs to the *Astragalus* genus, and although *Astragalus crassicarpus* is considered edible, the text notes that many other species in the genus contain toxic substances.

Considerations for Children

• The plant has a "beaklike point" on its fruit.
• The plant belongs to the *Astragalus* genus, and although *Astragalus crassicarpus* is considered edible, the text notes that many other species in the genus contain toxic substances.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Astragalus crassicarpus
• Family: Fabaceae (also referred to as Papilionaceae)
• Genus: Astragalus
• Species: crassicarpus
• Synonyms: Astragalus caryocarpus, Astragalus mexicanus, Astragalus succulentus
• Subspecies: var. crassicarpus, var. sonorae

Distribution and Habitat

• This plant is native to North America, particularly the prairie regions.

Morphological Characteristics

• Astragalus crassicarpus is a perennial plant, growing up to 0.5 meters (1ft 8in) in height.
• It features feather-compound leaves and spikelike clusters of pea flowers.
• The plant produces a fleshy, round or oval seedpod that resembles a greengage or small plum.
• Fruits are nearly ball-shaped with a central ridge and a sharp, beaklike point, about ½ inch wide.
• Stems are decumbent, extending 4-24 inches from the crown, and are hairy.
• Leaves are alternate, 2-4 inches long, bearing 15-27 oval leaflets.
• Flowers are tubular, approximately ½ inch in size, and come in various shades of purple.

Ecological Role

• Astragalus crassicarpus is a legume that can utilize nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen benefits the plant itself, while some may become available for other organisms.

Traditional Uses

• The round, juicy seed pods (fruits) of *Astragalus crassicarpus* are a traditional Native American food, referred to as ground plums or buffalo beans. They can be eaten raw or cooked when unripe and green.

Related Species

• The text mentions several other Astragalus species, including:
  • Astragalus bisulcatus (Two-Grooved Milk Vetch)
  • Astragalus macrocarpus (Lefkara milk-vetch)
  • Astragalus bibullatus (Pyne's Ground Plum)
  • Astragalus agrestis (Field Milkvetch, Cock's-head, Purple Milkvetch, Meadow Milkvetch)
  • Astragalus flexuosus (Slender Milk-Vetch)
  • Astragalus missiensis (Missi Milk-Vetch)
  • Astragalus holmgreniorum (Holmgren's milkvetch)
  • Astragalus jaegerianus (Lane Mountain milkvetch)
  • Astragalus humistratus (Ground-cover milkvetch)
  • Astragalus canadensis (Canada milkvetch)
  • Astragalus mollissimus (Woolly locoweed)
  • Astragalus whitneyi

Further Information

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• ARKive (for information on Pyne's Ground Plum)
• Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses