Canada Milk-vetch

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure in both Canada (N5) and the US (N5). Apparently Secure (S4) in Ontario with 10 documented Ottawa-area sites. Not ranked in Quebec (SNR) but 13 herbarium specimens and 16 GBIF preserved specimens within the 5.2.3 ecoregion confirm regular occurrence. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC.

S22 G5/N5/S4-ON/SNR-QC; S26 not SARA listed; S54 13 QC specimens; S48 16 specimens in 5.2.3

Rarity Ranks

QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S4 – Apparently Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Canada milk-vetch occupies open to partly shaded habitats on moist to dry prairies, stream banks, shores, and open woods. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region, herbarium specimens document it on alvar over dolomite at Knox Landing, in cedar-pine woodland on calcareous bedrock at Fort-Coulonge, and at Plaisance Wildlife Reserve in open sugar maple-silver maple-bur oak stands. Brunton (2005) records it at 10 Ottawa sites including Burnt Lands alvar and Chaudiere Islands ESA, indicating affinity for calcareous, open-canopy habitats along the Ottawa River corridor.

S62 10 Ottawa sites; S48 specimen habitats; S7 dry prairies, moist shores; S4 moist to dry prairies, stream banks, open woods

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Nitrogen Fixer, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Nitrogen Fixer: S73 [HIGH]: S11 classified (S53 no signal, not contradictory)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Notes

As a nitrogen-fixing legume, Canada milk-vetch enriches soil for neighbouring plants through its rhizobial symbiosis. Hemenway (S72) includes Astragalus spp. as nitrogen fixers in apple-centred guilds. Its stoloniferous, spreading habit provides living groundcover that suppresses weeds while attracting specialist pollinators. PFAF notes its use as a cover crop for erosion control and biodiversity enhancement in mixed plantings.

S72 nitrogen_fixer in apple guild; S29 nitrogen fixer, cover crop, erosion control; S11 Nitrogen Fixation=Low

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

Click here for more info →

Category

Analgesic, Antihemorrhagic, Cough Medicine, Dermatological Aid, Febrifuge, Pediatric Aid, Pulmonary Aid

S28 Blackfoot/Dakota/Lakota uses; S29 Analgesic, Febrifuge, Haemostatic

Notes

Roots were the primary medicinal part across multiple Indigenous nations. Blackfoot chewed roots or used root infusions for spitting blood (antihemorrhagic), applied poultice of chewed roots to cuts, and bathed children's chests with root steam for chest pain (S28). Dakota used root decoctions as children's febrifuge. Lakota chewed pulverized roots for chest and back pain, coughs, and blood-spitting (S28). PFAF rates medicinal value 2/5.

S28 12 drug uses across Blackfoot, Dakota, Lakota; S29 analgesic, febrifuge, haemostatic

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

Click here for more info →

✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Roots eaten raw or boiled by Blackfoot peoples, considered a staple food often prepared in broth (S28). Lakota fed seeds to horses as fodder. PFAF rates edibility 3/5. Caution advised: bitter roots may indicate toxic alkaloids, and Astragalus species can accumulate selenium in seleniferous soils.

S28 Blackfoot root=staple, eaten fresh/boiled in blood/broth; S29 Root raw or boiled, caution re alkaloids/selenium

Toxicity

△ Low Toxicity

USDA rates toxicity as slight (S11). Many Astragalus species contain toxic glycosides and can accumulate selenium in seleniferous soils to toxic levels (S29). S4 warns all Astragalus are potentially toxic, causing locoism in livestock; milk from affected animals may also be toxic. Canada milk-vetch has toxic compounds but is not considered a serious pest species (S4). S3 notes it is toxic if ingested by livestock.

S11 Toxicity=Slight; S29 toxic glycosides, selenium accumulation; S4 locoism warning; S3 toxic to livestock

Seed Source

• Localeaf