Milk Vetch: Timber

"Timber Milk-Vetch" (Astragalus miser)

2008 June 4

2008 June 19

2008 June 19

2008 June 14

2008 June 22

2008 June 30

2008 June 30

Timber Milk Vetch contains miserotoxin which is poisonous to sheep and cattle, particularly if they are lactating. The toxin is found primarily in the leaves with the highest concentration occurring during the bud and mature-flower sages.

Milk Vetch: Pulse

"Pulse Milk-Vetch" (Astragalus tenellus)

2008 June 23

2008 June 23

2008 June 23

2008 July 8

This plant is a native perennial. I have found it mostly growing near the lake.

Milk Vetch: Field

"Field Milk Vetch" (Astragalus agrestis)

2008 June 14

2008 June 14

2008 June 14

It is easy to pass this plant by as it can easily be hidden by surrounding grasses. This plant is a perennial.

Milk Vetch: Canadian

"Canadian Milk Vetch"

Astragalus canadensis

2007 July 7

2007 July 7
The old seed head next to this year's flower was the clue to the identity of this plant ... seed pods erect with a tiny hook at the end.

2007 July 20

Seed pods forming.

I found this plant in a couple of different places along the lake shore near where I live. This plants likes to drink ... water, not Canadian Whiskey!

Meadow Birds-Foot Trefoil

"Meadow Bird's-Foot Trefoil" (Lotus denticulatus)

2007 July 16

2007 July 16

2007 July 20

I found many of these plants growing down by the lake. These seed pods don't look like those of Lotus corniculatus the latter having seed pods that actually look like chicken feet ... at least to me. I can't seem to find a whole lot of information on this plant. I'll keep looking.

Creamy Peavine

"Creamy Peavine or Pale Vetchling" (Lathyrus ochroleucus)

2008 May 23

2008 May 31

2008 June 2

2008 June 1

2008 June 2

2008 June 22

2008 July 1

 2013 July 27

2013 July 27

"Many plants of this genus are eaten by livestock and have been used successfully in various parts of the world. However, they are generally viewed with suspicion because some cause a type of poisoning called lathyrism, which results from eating too much vetchling seed over long periods of time. Epidemics of lathyrism date back to ancient Greece, but cases in humans usually occurred during famines when people were forced to eat vetchling almost exclusively. After 10 days to 4 weeks, this can cause progressive loss of coordination, ending in irreversible paralysis. Vetchling is not generally considered poisonous but these plants should be approached with caution. Lathyrus is the ancient Greek name for a 'pea' or 'a pulse' (legume)." ~~ info taken directly from this site ~~

This site also lists some possible uses for this plant.

Clover

Ahhhh, clover ... a blessing and a cursing all at the same time. Ever try keeping your lawn & gardens free of it? Yet, it is nitrogen fixing in the soil ... should one want to enhance poor soil.

"White Sweet-Clover" (Melilotus alba)

2007 August 9

2007 August 9

2007 September 18

What would a summer be without this plant's heady smell. Did you know that this sweet smell comes from coumarin? If the coumarin in this clover starts to break down in your hay stack, it produces compounds that prevent blood from clotting! My Mom was prescribed Coumadin (brand name for warfarin) as a blood thinner. Dosages have to be carefully monitored, for too much and oh, oh! Warfarin isn't used as rat poisoning for nothing!

Red Clover" (Trifolium pratense)

2007 June 17

2007 June 18

2007 August 6

This is an introduced species ... an escapee from farmer's fields. Grown for grazing, it is also used as a planting to control erosion and enhance the fertility of the soil. The flower can be used for human consumption as well (check out the local health food store):

"Red clover is a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Red clover is also considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants)." quoted from University of Maryland Medical Center" Site

"White Clover" (Trifolium repens)

2008 July 2

2008 July 2

"Alsike Clover" (Trifolium hybridum)

2007 August 9

Another introduced species from Eurasia. Although used as fodder, there is some caution and concern that surrounds this plant. When dew covered or wet it can cause Trifoliosis (dew poisoning). It seems that it is unknown if the wet alsike clover causes problems by contact or ingestion. Signs to watch for: gastrointestinal distress (mild colic & diarrhea) and photodermatitis (sunburn) ... especially where the body contacts the wet or dew covered plants ... newly shorn sheep being especially at risk.


Other, similar species will be added as I come across them.

Bird's Foot Trefoil

"Bird's Foot Trefoil" (Lotus corniculatus)

2007 July 2 -- Vancouver

2007 July 2 -- Vancouver

2007 July 7 -- Sepa Lake 108 Mile

2007 July 2 -- Vancouver

This perennial plant is actually a forage legume palatable to livestock and deer. It was introduced from Europe. While it has a tap root, it also develops rhizomes and stolons but mostly, it propagates itself by seed. Its presence can be an indicator of low fertility in the soil. It is drought resistant.

The arrangement of the seed pods inspired the common name "Bird's Foot".