Milk Vetch

Traditional Cree name: kāsīsīkwãnīpathisihk

Latin name: Astragalus canadensis

Common names: Canadian astragalus, rattle weed locoweed

Family: Fabaceae (Pea)

Kingdom: Plantae

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Oki, Âba wathtech, Dānít’ádā, Tansi, Hello

If I had a middle name it just might be adaptability, as it is surely one of my biggest characteristics. I can thrive in a variety of environments including prairies, woodlands, and stream banks. My whitish, yellowish to pale green pagoda-like shaped flowers are arranged in densely packed spiked clusters and are a common nectar source for bumblebees and honeybees. I attract hummingbirds, song birds, and butterflies making me a nice addition to gardens. In the fall and early winter my seeds become an important food source to song birds. 

Deer and cattle shouldn’t eat too much of me though as I contain potentially toxic glycosides as many of my astragalus genus do. 

It’s good to meet you

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