SafePlants

Ground Plum Milkvetch: A Prairie Legume

Explore the fascinating world of Astragalus crassicarpus, commonly known as Ground Plum, Groundplum Milkvetch, Buffalo Bean, Buffalo Plum, or Prairie Plum. This perennial legume offers both ecological significance and historical interest.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant contains edible seedpods that look somewhat like a greengage.
• The fruit has a sharp, beaklike point.

Considerations for Children

• The plant contains edible seedpods that look somewhat like a greengage.
• The fruit has a sharp, beaklike point.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Astragalus crassicarpus
• Common Names: Ground Plum, Groundplum Milkvetch, Buffalo Bean, Buffalo Plum, Prairie Plum
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family), also referenced as Papilionaceae.
• Genus: Astragalus
• Species: crassicarpus
• Synonyms: Astragalus caryocarpus, Astragalus mexicanus, Astragalus succulentus
• Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies mentioned as var. crassicarpus and var. sonorae.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to North America, particularly the prairie regions.
• Observed along trails and in clusters near rivers.

Morphological Characteristics

• A perennial plant growing up to 0.5 meters (1ft 8in).
• Stems are decumbent, extending 4-24 inches from the crown, and hairy.
• Leaves are alternate, 2-4 inches long, with 15-27 oval leaflets.
• Features feather-compound leaves.
• Flowers are tubular, approximately -inch, and come in various shades of purple. They grow in spikelike clusters of 5 to 15.
• Fruit is nearly ball-shaped with a central ridge and a sharp, beaklike point, approximately inch wide. It resembles a small plum.

Ecological Role

• As a legume, it contributes nitrogen to the soil, benefiting both itself and surrounding plants.
• Its presence is indicated by different colored rounds on some maps: native, introduced, or both.

Traditional Uses

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

Related Species

• Astragalus bisulcatus (Two-Grooved Milk Vetch)
• Astragalus macrocarpus (Lefkara milk-vetch)
• Astragalus humistratus (Ground-cover milkvetch)
• Astragalus bibullatus (Pyne's ground plum)
• Astragalus canadensis (Canada milkvetch)
• Astragalus agrestis (Field milkvetch)
• Astragalus flexuosus (Slender Milk-Vetch)
• Astragalus missiensis (Missi Milk-Vetch)
• Astragalus holmgreniorum (Holmgren's milkvetch)
• Astragalus jaegerianus (Lane Mountain milkvetch)
• Astragalus mollissimus (Woolly locoweed)

Resources and Further Information

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