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milkvetch
Scientific Name: Astragalus
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Milkvetch (Astragalus spp.)
Milkvetch, encompassing various species within the Astragalus genus, is a diverse group of plants with a wide range of characteristics and uses. Some species are also known as locoweed (particularly in North America) or goat's-thorn.
Considerations for Pets
- Many members of the Astragalus genus contain toxic glycosides.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Astragalus spp.
- Common Names: Milkvetch, Locoweed, Goat's-thorn
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) or Leguminosae
- Group: Dicot
- Synonyms:
- Chickpea milkvetch for Astragalus cicer
- Alpine Milk-vetch, Mountain Locoweed for Astragalus alpinus
Distribution and Habitat
- Milkvetch is found throughout northern and southwestern China and northern North America.
- It thrives in cold and arid to semi-arid environments.
- Some species, like Whited's milkvetch, are restricted to specific regions, such as Washington State, USA.
- Coachella Valley milk vetch habitat is a sandy home.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Milkvetch is a perennial herb, often tall (up to 1 meter).
- It's often covered with short bristles.
- It has a long, thick taproot.
- Canada Milkvetch is a perennial plant 1-3' tall, branching occasionally. The ridged stems.
- Purple milk-vetch flowers are gathered densely and compactly, resembling a single bloom, which then develop into swollen, pea-like seed pods.
- Fernald's Milk-vetch is a perennial, herbaceous plant that grows in small clumps. Two to eight stems emerge from rhizomes (horizontal underground stems).
- Some species like a species of Astragalus have grayish-long-stiff- hairy perennial from a heavy root and branched crown.
Ecological Role
- Canada Milk Vetch is a nectar source for bumblebees and honeybees.
- It serves as food for herbivores like deer, groundhogs, and rabbits.
- Cicer milkvetch, introduced to North America from Europe, can be a good pasture legume.
Traditional Uses
- Astragalus herbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
- Milkvetch is generally administered in combination with other Chinese herbs, with the combination depending on the diagnosis.
- European plant, Astragalus glycyphyllos, of the legume family, believed to increase the secretion of milk in goats.
Additional Information and Resources
- Further information can be found at websites like www.biolib.cz and abinvasives.ca.
- Data on Cicer milkvetch field crop trials dating from 1999-2005 is available.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a recovery plan for Holmgren milk-vetch (Astragalus holmgreniorum) and Shivwits milk-vetch (Astragalus ampullarioides).
- Saskatchewan Forage Council provides a forage factsheet on Cicer Milkvetch.
- Learn more about the Schmoll's milkvetch - with amazing Schmoll's milkvetch photos and facts on ARKive.