Astragalus

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Astragalus (lat. Astragalus) - a numerous genus of various plants of the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). Among more than two and a half thousand representatives of the genus, there are herbaceous plants, dwarf shrubs and shrubs. Some species have healing powers. Interesting and bright Astragalus inflorescences will decorate the garden. The simplest species of the genus are used by people as firewood.

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The Greek word that underlies the name of the genus "Astragalus" stretches from time immemorial. Another of the fathers of botany, the ancient Greek naturalist and physician, Pedanius Dioscorides, who lived in the 1st century AD, called this leguminous plant because of the shape of its seeds, similar to the dice from the ankles of a ram with a monotonous name.

The name of the genus, widely represented in nature by various in appearance plants, simply could not give birth to many synonyms that mislead not only ordinary gardeners, but also meticulous botanists.

Description

Numerous species of the genus Astragalus grow in the temperate climate of our entire small globe, including on the territory of our country. They are protected from climatic whims by dense pubescence.

Most often these are herbaceous perennial plants, less often - shrubs, and even less often - shrubs. Plant stems can be well developed, or strongly shortened, densely covered with pubescence.

Composite leaves are formed by simple or trifoliate leaves of an oval-elongated shape, located on a common petiole in symmetrical pairs, or at random. The complex leaf ends with a single leaf.

Spike-shaped or capitate inflorescences are formed by moth-type flowers with a corolla of yellow or purple color. The moth flower boat can be pointed or dull.

The fruit is a leguminous pod typical for plants of the Legume family, unilocular or double-nested, with small details differing in different species, for example, the pod can be sessile, or be located on a short stalk …

Some species of the genus

* Astragalus white-stemmed (lat. Astragalus albicaulis)

* Astragalus inflated (lat. Astragalus physocalyx)

* Astragalus densely branched (lat. Astragalus piletocladus)

* Danish Astragalus (lat. Astragalus danicus)

* Astragalus chickpea (lat. Astragalus cicer)

* Astragalus fluffy (lat. Astragalus dasyanthus)

* Collapsed Astragalus (Latin Astragalus contortuplicatus)

* Astragalus sickle (lat. Astragalus falcatus)

* Astragalus cold (lat. Astragalus frigidus)

* Astragalus calyx (lat. Astragalus calycinus)

* Astragalus sainfoin (lat. Astragalus onobrychis).

Usage

More than 200 species of the genus are gummy, that is, they secrete gum from wounds and cracks in the bark. Botanists suggest that by secreting gum, the plant protects its wounded tissues from the penetration of all kinds of pathogens into them, and also preserves its internal reserves of moisture.

Since ancient times, man has learned to use the gum of plants of the Astragalus genus in his own interests. It is in demand in pharmacology, the textile and perfume industry, and the confectionery industry. Low grades of gum are used in the manufacture of pencils, watercolors, glue, matches and many other household items. The gum itself does not have medicinal properties, but serves as a binding agent in medicines, and in household items it plays the role of glue.

But there are among the plants of the genus Astragalus and those that have healing powers. The most famous of them are Astragalus fluffy or woolly-flowered (Lat. Astragalus dasyanthus) and Astragalus densely branched (Lat. Astragalus piletocladus).

Dense decorative inflorescences of certain species of the genus Astragalus will decorate a summer cottage flower garden. A plant planted with a separate compact bush looks beautiful. From undersized species, you can arrange a border for a garden path, requiring a minimum of time and effort to care for it.