Angiosperms: Dicotyledons
Fabaceae
Legume Family
Milk vetchAstragalus canadensis L.
- Stem: perennial; 2’ to 3’ tall; branched above; lightly hairy.
- Leaves: alternate; pinnately compound; 5” by 2 1/2”; leaflets oval with rounded bases and tips, small points at the tips, 1 1/4” by 1/4”; hairy above and below.
- Inflorescence: raceme of crowded flowers to 10” long on leafless, hairy stalks from upper leaf axils.
- Flowers: corolla greenish cream; showing 1/4” to 1/2” beyond calyx; calyx tubular, 1/4” long with points 1/16” long, hairy; flowering from mid-July to early August.
- Fruits: pod 1/2” long, smooth; fruiting begins in late July.
- Habitat: frequent on wet to dry prairies and in open woods, on roadsides, and in open places; more common with some disturbance.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties: