Turkey Peas (Astragalus nuttallianus)
Description: Turkey Peas is a species of milkvetch known by the common names small flower milkvetch and turkey peas. It is native to the southwestern and south-central United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in many types of habitat, often in dry areas.
This is an annual herb that is variable in appearance, especially across varieties. It produces slender, hairy stems which reach 4 to 45 centimeters in length. The leaves are up to 6.5 centimeters long and are made up of several oval-shaped pointed or round-tipped leaflets. The inflorescence bears 1 to 4 white to purple or bicolored flowers, each less than a centimeter in length. The fruit is a legume pod 12 to 26 mm long.[
Family: Fabaceae
Synonym(s): Nuttall’s milkvetch, Small-flowered milkvetch
USDA Symbol: ASNU4
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time:
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes:
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.