Ground Plum

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Astragalus crassicarpus
Astragalus crassicarpus

Ground Plum. Photo by Marion Jankunis.

Astragalus crassicarpus
Astragalus crassicarpus

Ground Plum. Photo by Marion Jankunis.

Ethnobotany

The 20–35 cm stems of ground plum sprawl across the dry grassland. Its leaves are composed of many leaflets that are smooth on top and hairy below. Typical sweet-pea type flowers are white with the keel, or bottom portion of the flower, having a purple tinge. The seeds are in distinctive, round pods 15–25 mm across

These pods become dark purplish-brown and hard as they mature, but when they are young they are red and fleshy. According to Johnston, these “fleshy pods were eaten both raw and boiled.” (39) Jennings reports the boiled roots were “used as a toothpaste, and as treatment for insect bites. The dried and powdered roots were used as a coagulant to stop bleeding.”(168) 

Botany

To be added soon. 

References

  • Jennings, Neil. 2007. Prairie Beauty. Rocky Mountain Books, AB.

  • Johnston, Alex. 1987. Plants and the Blackfoot. Occasional Paper No. 15., Lethbridge Historical Society, AB.

WildflowerPenny Dodd and Marion JankunisGalt Museum & ArchivesComment