Canada Milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Canada Milkvetch

Plant Info
Also known as:	Canadian Milkvetch
Scientific name:	Astragalus canadensis
Family:	Pea (Fabaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; along shores, thickets, edge of woods, prairies, waste areas
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	12 to 40 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Rice Creek Trail Corridor

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Flower:: Flowers are in densely packed spike-like clusters up to 6 inches long at the end of a long stem. Individual flowers are about ½ inch long, a typical pea shape but elongated. The color ranges from pale yellow to greenish white to creamy white. One plant has several to many spikes on its many branching stems.
Leaves and stem:: 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 stem. The shape is eliptical to egg-shaped, with a rounded base and blunt point at the tip. Leaflets are slightly hairy, and toothless. The main stems are ridged, slightly hairy, and turn red in strong sun.
Fruit:: Fruit is a green 2-chambered oval pod about ½ inch long, with a “tail” at the top.