2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Astragalus cold (lat. Astragalus frigidus) - a herbaceous land perennial plant of the genus Astragalus (lat. Astragalus), ranked among the glorious family of legumes (lat. Fabaceae). It is difficult for this stunted plant with almost bare stems to survive without outside help in the modern world, and therefore Astragalus cold got into the Red Data Books of some regions. This species of the genus Astragalus can be found in the wet expanses of meadows, in forests, as well as along the river banks of a number of European and Asian countries. Flower nectar is a delicacy for insects, which in gratitude pollinate the hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers of the plant. Like other members of the legume family, Astragalus cold enriches the soil with nitrogen.
What's in your name
If the Latin name of the genus "Astragalus" is based on the shape of plant seeds, which reminded the ancient Greeks of the shape of a dice carved from ram's ankles, then the specific epithet "frigidus" ("cold") went to the plant for its stems and leaves, devoid of pubescence, in contrast from most species of the genus.
Initially, this plant was put on another classification "shelf" by Karl Linnaeus with the name "Phaca frigida", but later by an American botanist named Asa Gray (1810 - 1888) it was transferred to the number of plants of the Astragalus genus.
In addition to the synonym name "Phaca frigida", there are other "twins" of plants, including such as "Phaca ochreata", "Astragalus kolaensis", "Astragalus frigidus subsp. grigorjewii ". In addition, botanists write about a subspecies of this species, calling it “Astragalus frigidus subsp. parviflorus ".
Description
Astragalus cold is a low-growing herb that grows, depending on the external conditions of life, to a height of eight to thirty-five centimeters. The perennial of the plant is supported by the root system, which gives birth to stems on the surface of the earth with an almost bare surface, in contrast to most species of the genus, the stems of which have protective pubescence.
As a rule, the surface of the leaflets is bare, the shape of the leaf plate of which can vary from narrowly elliptical to narrowly ovoid. The leaflets are whole, with an even edge and a clearly defined central vein, from which thinner, but clearly visible, lateral veins extend to the edge of the leaf plate. The color of the underside of the leaf blade is dark green, while the upper side is lighter, closer to gray-green. The leaves form a complex pinnate leaf.
Strong peduncles are born from the axils of the leaves, the top of which is crowned with a racemose inflorescence formed by a dense cluster of moth-type flowers. Flower petals can be white or yellow in various shades. The flower corolla, protected by a pubescent calyx, bends to the ground on its short peduncle. The number of flowers in an inflorescence ranges from five to twenty pieces.
The fruit of Astragalus cold is a leguminous pod traditional for plants of the legume family, the surface of which is protected by a black hairy cover. The shape of the narrow bean pod is like an ellipsoid with pointed ends.
Insect feeder
Astragalus cold is a breadwinner for insects, which, in exchange for a nectar treat, are engaged in pollination of flowers.
Soil Physician
Like most plants of the legume family, Astragalus cold allows soil microorganisms to settle on their roots, receiving from the "lodgers" for their services additional portions of nitrogen, a chemical element that helps plants to develop and grow much more efficiently. Nitrogen is enough not only for Astragalus itself, but also for the plants living in its neighborhood. Therefore, where Astragalus grows cold, its plant neighbors look much greener and healthier.
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