Canadian Milkvetch
Astragalus canadensis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © sunrise37 (iNaturalist #54454733)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Astragalus
- Species:
- Astragalus canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- ASCA11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- cream, greenish-white, yellowish
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Typical prairie legume that resprouts vigorously after fire from deep taproot. Benefits from periodic fire which reduces woody competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 10–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat by nicking or soaking in hot water before cold stratification. Legume seeds have hard coats requiring physical or chemical treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified
Establishment: The plant is commonly found in moist prairies, streambanks and woodlands from the eastern half of the United States to the great Plains and north into Alberta east to Ontario. Seeds are typically collected in small lots, around 0.4 pounds, and hand collected into paper bags.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Resents transplanting. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * better with inoculating agent, put in deep pot, protect from damping off