wood vetch, Vicia caroliniana

Wood vetch is another of those variable vetches. White flowers are not uncommon. The flowers often have less prominent standards (the upright petal) than you see here. And the color can be darker. The Cherokee would scratch themselves where their muscles hurt, and rub in an infusion of this plant. They also took it during games too improve their endurance. And it was a digestion aid and emetic, though I fail to see how it could be both. Wood or Carolina vetch grows in woods in AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ(E), NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, and ON. Onsted State Game Area, Lenawee Co MI, 4/29/12. Bean family, Fabaceae.