About Hedysarum boreale Nutt.
Hedysarum boreale Nutt. is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae, the legume family. Its common names include Utah sweetvetch, boreal sweet-vetch, northern sweetvetch, and plains sweet-broom. It is native to North America, where it is widespread across the northern and western regions of Canada and the United States; the subspecies mackenzii can be found even in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
This species displays considerable morphological variation, with several existing ecotypes. It is generally a perennial herb that grows from a deep taproot with a woody stem base, and it hosts nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Plants reach 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) in height. Its hairless leaves are compound, divided into multiple leaflets. The inflorescence is a raceme bearing white, pink, or purple flowers. Honeybees pollinate the flowers. The fruit is a legume pod that holds kidney-shaped seeds.
This plant grows on well-drained loams, as well as clay and sandy soils. It can tolerate soils with moderate salinity, and grows across a range of soil pH values. In the wild, it typically grows at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1,200 and 2,400 m).
This species is sometimes included in seed mixes for rangeland improvement; its nitrogen-fixing ability improves soil quality. It is palatable to both livestock and wild animals, and it is an important component of Sage Grouse habitat. The cultivar 'Timp' is an improved plant line selected for its good adaptability and high seed production. It may be used in xeriscaping, as a seeded roadside flower, and it is effective for soil stabilization. Some Native American groups considered the wild plant poisonous, but they still used it as a food source, particularly the roots, which have a licorice-like flavor.
