Astragalus Crassicarpus : Groundplum Milk Vetch

Groundplum Milk Vetch is an attractive plant and one of the earliest blooming plants on the prairie.

Bees are attracted to this plant.

Groundplum Milk Vetch is a prostrate perennial with reddish, minutely hairy stems 4 - 12 inches long. The alternate hairy leaves are pinnately compound. The light purple pea-like flowers are clustered on a moderately dense raceme.

Groundplum Milk Vetch grows in dry prairie and requires full sun.

It grows easily from seed that has been scarified.

The seedpods of this legume are plump, succulent, reddish green fruits about 3/4 inch in diameter and when ripe resemble hickory nuts. A plant may have 10-60 fruits.

Height:	6 - 15 in
Color:	Light purple
Flowering Time:	May - Jun


Companion Plants: Pasque Flower, Needlegrass, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Prairie Clover

The fruit of Groundplum Milk Vetch is edible either raw or cooked and can be made into spiced pickles. It has a rather bland taste when eaten raw. One should be careful when eating members of the genus astragalus since some are poisonous and referred to as 'locosa.'

Groundplum Milk Vetch Price List
5,200 seeds / ounce
*Item #*	*Amount*	*Price*
AstrCraPkt	Packet	$2
AstrCra.25O	1/4 oz	$7
AstrCra.5O	1/2 oz	$13
AstrCraOz	Ounce	$25
AstrCraLb	Pound	$380
To Order Groundplum Milk Vetch, Call (515) 733-4634 Or Order by Mail: Order Form

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	Iowa Prairie Seed Company 911 Elm Avenue Story City, Iowa 50478 (515) 733-4634	Email: rbbunn@iowatelecom.net
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