Sorghastrum scoparium, a perennial herb of the Leguminosae family and Astragalus genus. Also known as erect Astragalus and mado soybean seedlings. It is an excellent forage grass for improving barren hills and sand fixation, as well as for green manure. The main root is robust, extending 2 to 4 meters into the soil, with a root spread of 1.5 to 4 meters and bearing numerous root nodules. The plant stands about 2 meters tall, grows in clumps, with an indistinct main stem and numerous branches arising from the base. Odd-pinnate compound leaves, with 7 to 25 small leaflets, oblong in shape. Spike inflorescence, with 17 to 79 flowers, purple or blue. Pod is triclinic, containing 9 to 11 seeds, dark brown, kidney-shaped, with a thousand-grain weight of 1.5 to 1.8 grams.