Groundplum
Common Name: Groundplum
Other Names: Groundplum Milk-vetch, Buffalo Bean
Species Name: Astragalus crassicarpus
Plant Type: Legume
Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family
Examples of Groundplum Astragalus crassicarpus
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Midwest; Canada to Texas and New Mexico |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
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Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Short stems and branches with pinnate, elongated leaves
- Terminal leaf at ends of branches
Floral
- Spherical seed pods
- Flowers can be purple, blue or rarely white
-
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Compound, 1-pinnately
- Leaf Arrangement:Alternate
- Leaf Shape: Elliptic to oblanceolate or suborbiculata
- Stipules: Present
-
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 5, fused
- Flower Color: Purple or lilac or light blue, rarely white or cream
- Flower Timing: March to late May or early June
- Fruit Type: Legumes
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Sandy soils |
| Habitat | Prairies, glades, and open woods, sloping and drier, rocky |
| Successional Stage | Mid to late |