# Siberian peashrub (*Caragana arborescens*) The Siberian peashrub is a tough little plant that can grow in many places! It has bright green leaves and pretty yellow flowers that bloom in spring, making it a cheerful sight in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Siberian peashrub](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Caragana_arborescens.jpg&width=800) Photo: A. Barra, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caragana_arborescens.jpg) ## Appearance The Siberian peashrub is a hardy deciduous shrub or small tree, typically featuring slender, upright branches and bright yellow, pea-like flowers. Its compound leaves have many small, oval leaflets, giving it a delicate, airy texture distinct from denser shrubs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fabales - **Family:** Fabaceae - **Genus:** Caragana ## Interesting facts - Its tiny flowers transform into edible pods resembling miniature green peas! - Its wood is incredibly dense, once used for pegs and small tools! - This plant arrived in Europe from Siberia over 250 years ago! - You can find Siberian peashrub growing wild even in Canada and the US! ## Special abilities - **Soil Supercharger:** Siberian peashrub can fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it and helping other plants grow stronger. - **Tough Survivor:** This plant has incredible resilience, able to thrive in extreme cold, drought, and poor soil conditions. - **Wind Wall:** Its dense branching and thick foliage help Siberian peashrub form effective windbreaks, protecting other plants. - **Earth Anchor:** Siberian peashrub has an extensive root system that strongly holds soil, preventing erosion on slopes. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-600 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect - **C:** 200-400 C ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding in pollination. - **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Pollinates flowers while collecting pollen and nectar. - **Eats:** [European ground squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-ground-squirrel) (*Spermophilus citellus*) — Consumes the energy-rich seeds from its pods. - **Eats:** Wild turkey (*Meleagris gallopavo*) — Forages for fallen seeds during late summer and fall. - **Eats:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — People gather young pods and flowers for food. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or eating any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Siberian peashrub? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Siberian peashrub? 300-600 cm ### How big are the flowers on Siberian peashrub? 2-3 cm ### When does Siberian peashrub bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Siberian peashrub edible? Yes ### Is Siberian peashrub toxic? None ### What is Siberian peashrub's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is Siberian peashrub pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Illinois Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-street-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Denbigh Experimental Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denbigh-experimental-forest) — North Dakota, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Washakie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-washakie) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-hiddenwood-recreation-area) — South Dakota, US · Park [View all places to see Siberian peashrub](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/siberian-peashrub) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Siberian peashrub: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/siberian-peashrub)