Thank you! I've Googled Vicia, and while I haven't found this particular one, they seem to come the nearest to identifying it. I certainly would not have gone that direction without your pointer! I do appreciate it.

Or maybe an Astragalus.

Thank you so much for that possibility, which proved helpful, too. I've located the leaf structure, but with different flowers, and found the flowers, but with different leaves. It seems that the plant is going to be in Fabaceae, though. Still on the hunt!

I believe that's Purple Ground-plum (Astragalus crassicarpus var. crassicarpus).

Yes, I believe you're correct! I had no idea there would be so many Astragalus to sift through. I have to say that without the guidance of you on this forum, it's unlikely that I would ever have found the right track, much less the correct identity. Thank you so much for your help!

i have been trying to eradicate such from my property for a decade ...

or a version of it ...

check carefully to insure you want to encourage this particular one ... not every free plant .. has GOOD value ...

ken

Thank you for the caution, well received, but this sample was brought to me for identification by a young friend who found it growing on the side of a road during one of her walks.

Unfortunately, however, I've been physically unable to properly care for my once-lovely lawn in more than ten years, so Mother Nature has gradually replaced it with free plants she deems more suited to the area. She must be right, for the multitudes of noxious weeds grow with abandon, without any loving care from me. (Indeed, the plant I submitted may be among the crowds!)

Ken - some of the Astragalus species are rare native wildflowers. A condemnation based on similarity to Vetches could misfire. You always say yourself to get a correct id before acting.