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groundplum milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus crassicarpus var. paysonii
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Ground Plum (Astragalus crassicarpus)
The Ground Plum, scientifically known as Astragalus crassicarpus, is a fascinating perennial legume found in North American prairies. It is recognized by its plum-like, edible fruits, making it a unique and useful plant.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant produces fleshy, round or oval seedpods that might attract attention.
- Some Astragalus species are known to contain toxic substances, although A. crassicarpus is noted as edible.
- The plant has a sharp, beaklike point on the fruit.
Considerations for Children
- The plant produces fleshy, round or oval seedpods that might attract attention.
- The plant has a sharp, beaklike point on the fruit.
Quirky Facts
- The round, juicy seed pods of the Ground Plum are a traditional Native American food called ground plums or buffalo beans.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt.
- Common Names: Ground Plum, Groundplum Milkvetch, Buffalo Bean, Buffalo Plum, Prairie Plum, Pomme de Prairie.
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) / Papilionaceae
- Genus: Astragalus
- Species: crassicarpus
- Synonyms: Astragalus caryocarpus Ker Gawl., Astragalus mexicanus A. DC., Astragalus succulentus
- Subspecies: var. crassicarpus, var. sonorae
Distribution and Habitat
Astragalus crassicarpus is native to the prairie regions of North America. It can be found along trails and in open areas.
Morphology and Growth
- Habit: Perennial herb, growing to approximately 0.5 meters (1 ft 8 in).
- Stems: Decumbent, extending 4-24 inches on all sides from the crown, hairy.
- Leaves: Alternate, 2-4 inches long, bearing 15-27 oval leaflets. Feather-compound leaves.
- Flowers: Tubular, approximately 3/4 inch in length, various shades of purple in spikelike clusters of 5 to 15. Hermaphrodite.
- Fruit: Nearly ball-shaped with a central ridge, having a sharp, beaklike point, smooth, about 1 inch wide, resembling a small plum.
Ecological Role
Ground plum is a legume, and like other legumes, it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the plant, and some becomes available for use by other plants.
Related Species
- Astragalus bisulcatus (Two-Grooved Milk Vetch)
- Astragalus macrocarpus (Lefkara milk-vetch)
- Astragalus bibullatus (Pyne's Ground Plum)
- Astragalus flexuosus (Slender Milk-Vetch)
- Astragalus missiensis (Missi Milk-Vetch)
- Astragalus agrestis (Field milkvetch)
Uses
- The unripe green fruit, resembling small plums, may be eaten raw or cooked.
Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- ARKive (for Pyne's Ground Plum)
- Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses