Astragalus canadensis (Canada Milkvetch)

Astragalus canadensis or Canada Milkvetch is a nitrogen-fixing member of the Pea family native throughout our region but not commonly found in the wild and home landscapes. This species is a striking plant with long compound leaves and stalks which can ramble, turning dark red in full sun. Although it can grow slowly in small patches, it does not spread aggressively, and works well in home landscapes. It tolerates poor soils but thrives in typical gardens whether high or lower moisture. Its deep taproots also help it withstand drought. Canada Milkvetch forms tall racemes of cream-colored flowers with bright green highlights, similar to lupines. The flowers rise above the foliage and are long-lasting, making them great for summer pollinators.

While a great pollinator plant, Canada Milkvetch is most beneficial as a host plant for a number of different kinds of butterflies, including several species of Sulphurs and skippers. For some of these butterflies, Canada Milkvetch may be the only native host plant species found for miles, and its robust foliage make it an ideal food source, without harming the appearance in the garden. For this reason, Canada Milkvetch can attract butterflies even when not in bloom! Its flowers also provide nectar and pollen for a range of pollinating insects, especially butterflies and long-tongued bees. A number of other bee specialists feed on other Astragalus species further west, so it may still benefit some of our local solitary bees and beneficial insect predators. The small seeds are also consumed by birds, and Canada Milkvetch can produce a lot of them in early fall. And while the foliage is toxic, some mammals may still browse the leaves and seeds.

Please note - this plant is considered poisonous and no part of it should be eaten.

Pollinators: bumblebees, leafcutter bees, butterflies, possibly: mason bees, miner bees, wool carder bees, flower flies, wasps

Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), and 5+ other species of Lepidoptera

Wildlife Value: Turkeys, songbirds, shelter

Deer Resistance: Plant is toxic but deer may still browse

Native Region: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Seed Origin: USA

Light Recommendation: Full Sun, Part Sun

Soil Moisture Recommendation: Medium-wet, Moist, Medium, Medium-dry

USDA Zones: 3-8

States found in our region: AL, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV

Other states found: AR, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SD, UT, VT, TX, WA, WI, WY