Ground Plum
Astragalus crassicarpus, also known as ground plum milkvetch or buffalo plum, provides beauty and interesting texture and form in every part of the plant and stage of development. A low-growing, spreading legume, it prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It has pinnate leaves and, in spring, clusters of pea-like blossoms with hues of lavender, purple and white. The thick-walled seed pods typically rest on the ground. Accounts of food and medicinal use among various Indian tribes abound and the young pods, boiled or raw, are said to have the texture and flavor of garden peas; however, some Astragalus species are toxic so consumption without positive identification is inadvisable.
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