Groundplum Milkvetch
Astragalus crassicarpus
Also listed as Geoprumnon crassicarpum
Also known as Ground-plum, Buffalo-plum
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing herbaceous perennial native to the Great Plains with compound leaves and clusters of pea-like purple or pink flowers. Produces distinctive inflated legume pods that are edible and were historically used by Native Americans.
Why grow it
Groundplum milkvetch offers reliable nitrogen fixation and drought tolerance once established, making it useful for range restoration and low-maintenance perennial plantings across semi-arid regions. Unlike many ornamental legumes, it produces edible pods with a mild flavor, adding functional diversity to perennial polycultures. It requires minimal fertilizer and performs well on poor, well-drained soils where many cultivated plants struggle.
Watch out for
This species has a deep taproot and does not transplant easily once established, so direct seeding or starting in deep containers is preferable. In areas with higher rainfall or poor drainage, it may struggle or develop root rot, as it is adapted to drier conditions. Plants can be slow to establish in the first year, and patch establishment from seed may be uneven without scarification or stratification.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Great Plains and central North America
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing herbaceous perennial native to the Great Plains with compound leaves and clusters of pea-like purple or pink flowers. Produces distinctive inflated legume pods that are edible and were historically used by Native Americans.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Groundplum Milkvetch grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Groundplum milkvetch offers reliable nitrogen fixation and drought tolerance once established, making it useful for range restoration and low-maintenance perennial plantings across semi-arid regions. Unlike many ornamental legumes, it produces edible pods with a mild flavor, adding functional diversity to perennial polycultures. It requires minimal fertilizer and performs well on poor, well-drained soils where many cultivated plants struggle.
Watch out for
This species has a deep taproot and does not transplant easily once established, so direct seeding or starting in deep containers is preferable. In areas with higher rainfall or poor drainage, it may struggle or develop root rot, as it is adapted to drier conditions. Plants can be slow to establish in the first year, and patch establishment from seed may be uneven without scarification or stratification.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Great Plains and central North America
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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