Astragalus christianus
L.
Yellow milk vetch
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Wikimedia Commons - Joseph Pitton de Tournefort
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Wikimedia Commons - Fontenelle; Phélypeaux, Louis; Tournefort, Joseph Pitton de
Summary
Source: WikipediaA low-growing perennial reaching 0.2 m tall and spreading 0.5 m wide. Hermaphroditic flowers are pollinated by bees and butterflies. Fixes nitrogen. Adapts to light sandy and medium loamy, well-drained soils across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Requires full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soil conditions.
Description
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems have white hairs. The leaves are compound with 25 pairs of oval leaflets. The flowers are in loose groups of 2-6.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root Seedpod Edible Uses: Immature seedpods - raw or cooked. Root - cooked.
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 Mediterranean plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Europe, Israel, Kuwait, Mediterranean, Middle East, Syria, 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 should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small. 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 be due partly 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
None known Special Uses Nitrogen Fixer
Notes
There are 2,000 Astragalus species.
References (4)
- Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 46
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 83
- Middleditch, B. S., 1991, Kuwaiti Plants: Distribution, Traditional Medicine, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Economic Value. Studies in Plant Science, 2. Elsevier p 13
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
