Pronounced (approximate): or-BEK-sih-lum on-oh-BRY-kis
A native member of the pea family with blue-purple flower spikes and broad three-part leaves.
French Grass (Orbexilum onobrychis): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Fabaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms Late spring–summer
Height Up to 2½ feet
Habitat Rich woodland edges, open slopes, prairies and river valleys
Common names: French Grass · Lanceleaf Scurfpea · Scurf Pea
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Rich woodland edges, open slopes, prairies and river valleys. Flowering season: Late spring–summer.
Despite its common name, French Grass is a legume. Sampson’s Snakeroot has narrower leaflets and a more slender form.
Leaves have three pointed, smooth-edged leaflets.
Small blue-purple pea flowers form upright spikes on long stalks.
The upright branching plant can form colonies from underground rhizomes. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
10 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to north-central and eastern United States.
Reported U.S. distribution
AL, IL, IN, IA, KY, MO, OH, TN, VA
Combines Kew records with the Missouri Department of Conservation account; state records do not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing French Grass in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.