Astragalus canadensis (Canada Milkvetch)
| Also known as: | Canadian Milk-vetch |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Astragalus |
| Family: | Fabaceae (Pea) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; average to moist soil, prairies, shorelines, edges of woods |
| Bloom season: | June - August |
| Plant height: | 12 to 40 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FAC NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/astragalus-canadensis.jpg)
Flowers are in densely packed spike-like clusters up to 6 inches long at the end of a long stalk arising from a leaf axil. Individual flowers are about ½ inch long, a typical pea shape but elongated. The color ranges from pale yellow to greenish to creamy white. One plant has several to many spikes on many branching stems.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/canada-milkvetch-0708_101830.jpg)
Leaves are compound in groups of 15 to 31. Leaflets are to 1¼ inches long and ½ inch wide, becoming smaller at the end of the leaf. The shape is eliptical to egg-shaped, with a rounded base and blunt point at the tip. Leaflets are slightly hairy, and toothless. Stems are ridged, slightly hairy, and turn red in strong sun.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/canada-milkvetch-0715_110152.jpg)
Fruit is a smooth oval 2-chambered pod about ½ inch long, with the remains of the style forming a “tail” at the top.
Notes:
Native legumes like Canada Milkvetch are an important part of the Minnesota ecology. Canada Milkvetch and Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) seed is a food source for Acanthoscelides aureolus, a tiny weevil, the beginning of the predatory food chain. Canada Milkvetch makes a great garden plant and is adaptable to any reasonably well-drained soil, fixing nitrogen into the soil and providing erosion control. Non-natives like Chickpea Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer) are often used for these purposes instead, since, being “pest-free”, they are not subject to the insect/herbivore complex that keeps native species populations under control, which, of course, allows the non-natives to flourish unchecked.Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
Canada Milkvetch plant
a small colony of Canada Milkvetch 
more flowers 
planted Canada Milkvetch
Acanthoscelides aureolus on Wild Licorice seed
Canada Milkvetch plant
a small colony of Canada Milkvetch 
more flowers 
planted Canada Milkvetch
Acanthoscelides aureolus on Wild Licorice seedPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Wild River State Park, Chisago county and McKnight Prairie, Goodhue county. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Stearns county.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2009-07-09 14:16:36
I pick the pods and give them to the MN DNR Wildlife Managers so they can plant the seed on the wildlife management areas
on: 2017-07-09 18:59:40
Found some growing in among some Sumac...I would think Sumac would be tough to compete with.
on: 2020-07-22 18:51:16
I believe we found these blooming this week in St. Mathias Heritage Trails Park, south of Brainerd.
on: 2021-07-14 13:12:21
This is the first year Im noticing quite bit of Canada Milkvetch on a nearby trail. There is also Crown Vetch growing on the trail. Without the flowers it is difficult to distinguish the two. Leaflets are both varying sizes within both species. Is one opposite leaflets and the other slightly alternate?
on: 2021-07-14 13:53:38
Luciearl, crown vetch has weak stems and tends to sprawl on the ground or over other plants, like a vine. Canada milkvetch is a stiffer, bushier, more erect plant. The compound leaves of both are alternate; on both, the leaflets on a compound leaf are mostly opposite or nearly so. The fruits are also quite different between the two.
on: 2024-09-26 11:35:53
Am not plant specialist but need to rapidly ID plants assoc w/ pollinators. Having difficulty distinguishing between Canada milkvetch & wild licorice. Tips?
on: 2024-09-26 18:21:47
Lisa, at this time of year the fruits are a key diagnostic; those of wild licorice are distinctly bristly where Canada milkvetch fruits are smooth. Also compare the number of leaflets on a compound leaf - wild licorice has 11 to 19 where Canada milkvetch has 15 to 31. Wild licorice is also gland-dotted, Canada milkvetch is not.