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Photographer: Kitty Kohout
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Family Fabaceae
Astragalus canadensis L. var. canadensis
Canadian milk-vetch
Astragalus: from Greek astragalos meaning "ankle bone" and an early name applied to some plants in this family because of the shape of the seeds; also could mean "star" or "milk"
canadensis: of or referring to Canada
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 1'-4' tall forb; stems usually with several branches |
| Flower: | yellow, 5-parted, 1/2" long, stalked; inflorescence a dense, tall, long-stalked, spike-like cluster (raceme) held above the upper leaves; blooms July-Aug. |
| Fruit: | many, crowded, erect, inflated, 2-chambered pods  |
| Leaf: | pinnately-divided into an odd number of leaflets (15-35) |
| Habitat: | full to partial sun; moderate moisture to dry; prairies, woods, shores; in sandy, loamy soil |
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