Cushion Milk-Vetch

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Astragalus gilviflorus
Astragalus gilviflorus

Cushion milk-vetch. Photo by Marion Jankunis.

Ethnobotany

The leaves of this mat-forming plant are a distinguishing feature—they are compound, with three leaflets, like a clover. The leaves are clustered thickly around the base of short-stemmed white flowers, partially obscuring the pea-shaped blossoms.

Royer and Dickinson report that the dry seed pods are “great noisemakers”, and were used as ceremonial rattles by people of the First Nations. (235)

Botany

Will be added soon.

References

  • Royer, France and Richard Dickinson. 2007. Plants of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing, AB.           

WildflowerPenny Dodd and Marion JankunisGalt Museum & ArchivesComment