Turkeypeas: A Lesser-Known Native Annual for Southwest Gardens
If you’re looking to add authentic native plants to your southwestern garden, you might stumble across turkeypeas (Astragalus nuttallianus var. micranthiformis) in your research. This annual plant is one of those quiet natives that doesn’t make a big splash but plays its part in the natural ecosystem of the American Southwest.
What Are Turkeypeas?
Turkeypeas belong to the legume family and are a specific variety of Astragalus nuttallianus. As an annual plant, turkeypeas complete their entire life cycle in one growing season, sprouting from seed, flowering, setting seed, and dying all within the same year. This makes them quite different from the perennial natives that many gardeners are more familiar with.
Where Do Turkeypeas Grow Naturally?
This native plant calls the southwestern United States home, naturally occurring across four states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It’s adapted to the unique growing conditions of this region, including the temperature extremes, soil types, and precipitation patterns that characterize the Southwest.
Should You Grow Turkeypeas in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky with turkeypeas. While they’re undeniably native to the region, they’re not commonly found in the nursery trade or widely discussed in gardening circles. This means information about their ornamental value, growing requirements, and garden performance is quite limited.
If you’re considering turkeypeas for your garden, you might want to think about:
- Whether you’re specifically trying to recreate a natural southwestern ecosystem
- Your comfort level with growing lesser-known plants that may have unpredictable garden performance
- The availability of seeds or plants from reputable native plant sources
Growing Conditions and Care
Since turkeypeas are native to the Southwest, they’re likely adapted to:
- Full sun exposure
- Well-draining soils
- Low to moderate water requirements once established
- Hot, dry summers and potentially cold winters (depending on elevation)
As with most annual legumes, turkeypeas probably prefer not to be overwatered or grown in heavy, clay soils that stay wet.
The Bottom Line
Turkeypeas represent one of those interesting native plants that fly under the radar. While they’re certainly native and have their place in the natural ecosystem, their garden merit remains largely unexplored. If you’re drawn to growing every native plant in your region or you’re working on a restoration project, turkeypeas might be worth seeking out.
However, if you’re looking for proven native annuals with known garden performance, you might be better served by more widely available southwestern natives like desert marigold, penstemon species, or native sunflowers. These alternatives offer the same native plant benefits with much more predictable results and easier availability.
The world of native plants is vast and varied, and sometimes the most obscure species teach us just as much about our local ecosystems as the showiest wildflowers. Whether turkeypeas earn a spot in your garden depends on your gardening goals and your sense of botanical adventure!
