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Astragalus pycnocladus - Boiss.&Hauskin.

Common Name
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides[65]. All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage[85]. A number of species can also accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element[65].
Habitats Not known
Range W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Full sun
Astragalus pycnocladus


Astragalus pycnocladus

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Astragalus pycnocladus is a deciduous Shrub. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum  Gum

A source of gum tragacanth - used as a thickener in confections[177]. Some exudes naturally from the plant, more can be obtained by incision of the stem about 5cm below ground level[64].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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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[64, 74].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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[1]. Succeeds in poor soils[200]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[200]. 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[200]. 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[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate[200]. 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[134, 200]. 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[134, 200]. 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[134]. 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 Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Astragalus aboriginorumIndian MilkvetchPerennial0.3 -  LMND20 
Astragalus adscendensPersian MannaShrub0.0 -  LMND202
Astragalus boeticusSwedish CoffeeAnnual0.6 7-10  LMND20 
Astragalus brachycalyx Shrub0.0 -  LMND202
Astragalus canadensisCanadian Milkvetch, Shorttooth Canadian milkvetch, Morton's Canadian milkvetchPerennial1.0 7-10  LMND323
Astragalus carduchorum Shrub0.0 -  LMND202
Astragalus chartostegius Shrub0.0 -  LMND10 
Astragalus chinensisHua Huang Qi, Chinese milkvetchPerennial0.7 0-0  LMND02 
Astragalus christianus Perennial0.2 -  LMNDM20 
Astragalus complanatusBei Bian Huang QiPerennial0.8 -  LMNDM02 
Astragalus crassicarpusGround Plum, Groundplum milkvetchPerennial0.5 6-9  LMND413
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Astragalus densissimus Shrub0.5 -  LMND202
Astragalus diphysusSpecklepod Milkvetch, Freckled milkvetchPerennial0.0 0-0  LMND30 
Astragalus echinus Perennial0.5 -  LMND10 
Astragalus edulisMilkvetchAnnual0.3 0-0  LMND20 
Astragalus exscapus Perennial0.3 4-8  LMND012
Astragalus floridusDuo Hua Huang QiPerennial0.3 -  LMND02 
Astragalus florulentus Shrub0.0 -  LMND202
Astragalus garbancillo Shrub0.0 -  LMND001
Astragalus globiflorus Shrub0.2 -  LMND202
Astragalus glycyphyllosMilk Vetch, Licorice milkvetchPerennial0.2 3-7  LMND104
Astragalus gummiferTragacanth, Gum tragacanth milkvetchShrub0.3 7-10  LMND232
Astragalus hamosusEuropean milkvetchAnnual0.6 0-0  LMND12 
Astragalus henryiQin Ling Huang QiPerennial0.8 -  LMNDM10 
Astragalus hoantchyWu La Te Huang QiPerennial0.4 -  LMNDM11 
Astragalus kurdicus Shrub0.2 -  LMND202
Astragalus leioclados Shrub0.0 -  LMND202
Astragalus massiliensis Shrub0.3 5-9  LMND303
Astragalus membranaceusHuang QiPerennial0.3 5-9  LMND053
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Boiss.&Hauskin.

Botanical References

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Subject : Astragalus pycnocladus  
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