Astragalus canadensis aka Canada Milk Vetch

Astragalus canadensis, or Canada milkvetch, belongs to the bean family. This perennial grows across much of Canada and the United States. It lives in prairies, woods, wetlands, and thickets near shores. Plants form upright clumps, though stems can spread or flop. Nearby plants can help hold the stems upright. NC State gives a height of 1–4 feet [0.3–1.2 metres]. RHS gives a taller garden range of 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres]. Spread ranges from 1.5–2 feet [0.46–0.61 metres] at NC State. RHS allows up to 3.3 feet [1 metre].

Several stiff, green stems rise from each plant. Fine hairs cover the stems, which may redden in strong sun. Green leaves grow in turn along each stem. Each pinnate leaf has about 15–35 small, oval leaflets. The leaflets have smooth edges, blunt tips, and some fine hairs. The plant sheds its leaves for winter. Cream, white, or pale green flowers grow in dense racemes. Each small flower has the shape of a pea flower. Bloom runs from June through August in the Missouri Botanical Garden account. The oval pods have two chambers and long, sharp tips. Dry pods split open to release their seeds.

Grow this plant in full sun or some shade. RHS recommends moist soil that drains well and has moderate fertility. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk soils. It also grows across acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Missouri Botanical Garden reports tolerance of drought and wet or dry soil. Its listed hardiness spans USDA zones 3–8; RHS rates it H5. Growth is moderate, and upkeep needs are low. Grow new plants from seed and cut stems back in autumn.

Canada milkvetch suits prairie beds, native gardens, borders, and woodland edges. It can help hold soil on banks and slopes. Flowers and pods also serve as cut material. The plant fixes nitrogen, which can improve soil fertility. Birds, including wild turkeys, eat its seeds. It hosts Western Tailed Blue larvae. Bees and hummingbirds visit the flowers, but NC State warns that nectar harms honeybees.

Few major pests or diseases trouble this plant. RHS lists pea and bean weevil as a possible pest. NC State reports low-severity poisoning and warns that plants can retain pollutants. PFAF records roots as food, eaten raw, boiled, or in broth. It warns that bitter roots may contain toxic alkaloids. PFAF also records past medicinal uses of the root. These reports do not establish safe eating or medical use.