Keep an eye low to the ground to spot the beautiful purple blooms of freckled milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus). This plant, no taller than 18 inches, pops up multiple tiny flowers in early to mid-spring. Once pollinated, the flowers turn into bloated legume fruits that feature red to purple freckles, hence the common name. Do not eat freckled milkvetch as it is poisonous. Look for this plant growing in dry gravelly areas.

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