Quail-Friendly Plants of the Midwest

Milkpea

Galactia volubilis

Forb

Vining growth often causes milk pea to climb other plants

Leaves and stems are hairy. Vining growth often causes milk pea to climb other plants.

Scott Sudkamp, Missouri Department of Conservation

Milkpea seedpods are hairy, 2 to 2-1/2 inches long.

©Ted Bodner, USDA-NRCS Plants Database

Leaflets are three-lobed, and flowers are pink to lavender.

©Tom Barnes, University of Kentucky

Where available, seeds are readily consumed by bobwhites and other birds and small mammals.

Tracey Slotta, USDA-NRCS Plants Database

Description

This herbaceous legume demonstrates a hairy surface on the top of the trilobed leaf; the stems are also hairy. Milkpea can be found throughout most of the southern Midwest on rocky glades and open woods. Seedpods are about 2-1/2 inches long.

Bloom period

July to September

Use by bobwhites

Milkpea seeds are readily eaten by bobwhites. They may serve as a component of brood cover as well.

MP903, new May 2008

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