This golden flower is known as a buffalo bean, prairie bean, golden banner and prairie pea. These flowers bloom during 
late May or early June. The buffalo bean can be found in open sandy areas of the prairie and aspen forests where water tables are high.
The golden bean flowers were once used as a cure for stomach disease and its roots used as a horse medicine.
Dye was made from the yellow flowers and used by the First Nations People to color arrows and skin bags.
Most importantly, the appearance of this golden pea-like flower was used as a form of phenology (study of nature) by the First Nations People because upon its arrival, the spring hunt for buffalo bulls could resume.
Warning: The pea shaped pods of a buffalo bean should never be consumed as they are poisonous!
The Trefoil Muse 
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