Thermopsis mollis, Allegheny Mountain Goldenbanner - know anything about this?

I just got home from my a save-the-natives plant sale at the State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia, and I scored what I went for: three pawpaws and a black chokeberry. But I also picked up a plant called Thermopsis mollis, Allegheny Mountain Goldenbanner, which was tagged as being of the Fabaceae family, so I was hoping that means "nitrogen-fixing." It was the healthiest plant I saw at the sale. Now that I'm looking online for it, I'm not finding any info about edibility. Is anyone here familiar with this plant?

uswildflowers
Forestry service info

Those two give most of the information on the Thermopsis Mollis plant.

Note: while it is a legume, and the local name has pea in it, this is not an edible, live stock won't, and shouldn't touch it as a food source either.

Redhawk

Bryant RedHawk wrote:uswildflowers
Forestry service info

Those two give most of the information on the Thermopsis Mollis plant.

Note: while it is a legume, and the local name has pea in it, this is not an edible, live stock won't, and shouldn't touch it as a food source either.

Redhawk

Thank you, Redhawk. The edibility thing is what I wanted to know.

Just been reading more about the quinolizidine alkaloids, to the best of my ability as a lay person. I'm wondering: Would this have value planted as a nitrogen-fixer in a guild to help keep deer away from other valuable plants? Or would that be a mistake?

Diane Kistner wrote: I'm wondering: Would this have value planted as a nitrogen-fixer in a guild to help keep deer away from other valuable plants? Or would that be a mistake?

I was thinking the same think Diane when I was reading through the description that said it discourages wildlife browsing.

Yes, this plant is a nitrogen fixer and it will keep browsers away, it has no allopathic compounds, so it can be a good guild protector plant. (really good question, Diane and Steve)

Redhawk

Bryant RedHawk wrote:Yes, this plant is a nitrogen fixer and it will keep browsers away, it has no allopathic compounds, so it can be a good guild protector plant. (really good question, Diane and Steve)

Redhawk

YAY! Now I wish I had bought a few more....

Next spring simply trim some of the new growth and root the cuttings.

Bryant RedHawk wrote:Next spring simply trim some of the new growth and root the cuttings.

I just saw that this plant is critically endangered in Georgia, so that gives me a great reason to really baby it and make more of it.