Lotus Milkvetch

(Astragalus lotiflorus Hook.)

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

flowering, fruiting plant ▲▼

flowers ▲▼

flowers with enlarging fruit pods▲

fruit pods ▲▼

Lotus Milkvetch:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains nor Weeds of the Northeast)

A native simple perennial weed, with tiny white or creamy-white flowers that sometimes produce fruit without fully opening (are cleistogamous) that are on short stalks at the center of the plant.  Native to well-drained prairie soils, they can be toxic to livestock due to presence of toxic alkaloids.  Being not too palatable, animals usually avoid if other vegetation is available.  However, once consumed, animals may become habituated to some Astragalus species, further worsening the poisoning effects.

The very short flower stalks and flower clusters that either don't open or are at least partially hidden by foliage help distinguish this milkvetch from others with more showy flowers on more elongated stalks, such as Silky Sophora and White Locoweed.