Astragalus adscendens

A deciduous shrub with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by bees and lepidoptera. Nitrogen-fixing capability. Thrives in light sandy and medium loamy soils that are well-drained and nutrient-poor. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH. Requires full sun and prefers dry soil conditions.

Description

A low shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20 cm high and spreads 25 cm wide. The stems are erect and branching. It forms a cushion like plant. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are small, oval and spiny. The flowers are small and pea like. They are in clusters in the axils of the leaves.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Gum Gum A source of gum tragacanth - a thickener that is used in confections. Some exudes naturally from the plant, more can be obtained by incision of the stem about 5cm below ground level.

Traditional Uses

The gum is used to make sweets.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides. All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage. A number of species can also accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It is best in an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought but damaged by frost.

Where It Grows

Australia, Europe, Iran*, Iraq, Kuwait, Middle East, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. Whilst it is likely to tolerate low temperatures it may not be so happy with a wet winter. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position. Succeeds in poor soils. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small. This plant is a sub-shrub and although it produces woody stems these tend to die back almost to the base each winter. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Many members of this genus can be difficult to grow, this may partly be due to a lack of their specific bacterial associations in the soil.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Other Uses

Gum Gum Gum tragacanth is obtained from the stem (see above). It has a wide range of uses including:- a thickening agent in preparing dyes for calico printing, textile dyes and for dressing fabrics, it is also a thickener in making glues, water colours, ink (where it supplies a gloss), it is a binding agent in paper making, a culture medium in laboratories etc. Special Uses Nitrogen Fixer

Production

The manna is released by making small cuts.

Notes

There are 2,000 Astragalus species. It is the source of tragacanth used to bind pills.

Synonyms

References (8)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 45
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 113
• P. E. Boissier, Fl. orient. 2:317. 1872-1873
• Grami, B., 1998, Gaz of Khunsar: The Manna of Persia. Economic Botany 52(2): 181-191
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 83

More from Fabaceae

Tephrosia linearis

Tephrosia obcordata

Tephrosia platycarpa

Tephrosia pumila

Tephrosia purpurea

Purple tephrosia

Tephrosia purpurea subsp. leptostachya