Astragalus glycyphyllos
Milk Vetch
a perennial member of the Astragalus genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Astragalus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Lepidoptera
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides[9]. All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage[10]. A number of species can also accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element[9].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The herb is occasionally used as a tea[5]. The root is said to be a liquorice substitute[8], but certainly not from the point of view of taste[K].
- Product or use
- Tea
Environment
- Range
- Much of Europe, including Britain, though rare in the south, east to the Caucasus and W. Asia.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[6]. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate[6]. Stored seed, and perhaps also fresh seed, should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in hot water before sowing - but make sure that you do not cook the seed[3][6]. Any seed that does not swell should be carefully pricked with a needle, taking care not to damage the embryo, and re-soaked for a further 24 hours[3][6]. Germination can be slow and erratic but is usually within 4 - 9 weeks or more at 13°c if the seed is treated or sown fresh[3]. As soon as it is large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1][3]. Prefers chalk and limestone soils[8], succeeding in grassland[6]. The leaves emit a sweet, aromatic scent when handled[7]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[6]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Many members of this genus can be difficult to grow, this may be due partly to a lack of their specific bacterial associations in the soil[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9