Lewis and Clark: Canadian Milkvetch

Patches of Canadian Milkvetch are opening along the creek bed.  This plant was included in the Lewis and Clark Journals.  Here is what they had to say: 

This is a widespread perennial legume that, unlike many other species of Astragalus, is nonpoisonous. The Omaha-Ponca tribe used the dried pods as rattles; the Lakotas chewed the roots to relieve chest pains and made a root decoction to treat fever in children.

Enjoy!


~ Robin