SafePlants

Astragalus monspessulanus

Astragalus monspessulanus, also known as Montpellier Milk Vetch, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. Other common names include Astragale de Montpellier, Esparcette btarde, Astragalo rosato, Cicerchia di Montpellier, and Astragalo di Montpellier.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Astragalus monspessulanus L.
• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
• Genus: Astragalus
• Species: monspessulanus
• Subspecies: Several subspecies are recognized, including Astragalus monspessulanus subsp. monspessulanus and Astragalus monspessulanus subsp. illyricus (Bernh.) Chater.
• Synonyms:
  • Astragalus dalmaticus Bunge ex Nyman
  • Astragalus illyricus Bernh. f. brachyceras Beck.
  • Astragalus illyricus Bernh.
  • Astragalus illyricus prol. dinaricus (Beck) Asch. &amp Graebn.
  • Astragalus kindlii, Formanek
  • Astragalus macedonicus, Heldr. &amp Charrel
  • Astragalus monspessulanus var. atticus, Hayek
  • Astragalus incurvus var. macroceras Koch
  • Astragalus soyeri

Distribution and Habitat

Astragalus monspessulanus is found in several mountain areas such as the Alps and the Pyrenees. Its distribution extends to the Mediterranean region, including northwest Africa, the Pyrenees, and southern France. It prefers basic soils with stony composition.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is described as a clump-forming perennial, typically reaching 20-30 cm in height.
• The leaves are 7-20 cm long and composed of twenty-one to forty-one oblong to ovate leaflets.
• The flowers are 2-3 cm long and are typically purple.
• The plant can be acaule (stemless).
• It can have hairs of 0,2 -0,4 mm.