2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Astragalus sainfoin (lat. Astragalus onobrychis) - a herbaceous land perennial plant of the genus Astragalus (lat. Astragalus), reckoned to the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). Traditional medicine with a decoction of the herb Astragalus sainfoin fights against gynecological diseases. Large capitate inflorescences of white, red, lilac, purple, sometimes similar to the heads of a blooming Clover, towering above the openwork greenery, turn the plant into a very decorative and festive one.
What's in your name
The first Latin word for a plant name is the name of the genus to which the plant is attributed by botanists. Understanding of its meaning can be seen in the article of the Encyclopedia describing the genus "Astragalus" ("Astragalus").
The specific epithet “onobrychis” (sainfoin) was given to the plant for the similarity of the plant's appearance with plants of the genus Esparcet (lat. Onobrychis), also belonging to the legume family. Only subtle morphological features, capable of being revealed to meticulous botanists, make it possible to distinguish plants by genera and species.
As for the meaning of the Latin word "onobrychis", its roots should, as often happens, be sought in the ancient Greek language. Strange as it may seem, but the Latin word consists of two Greek words, meaning in translation "eating donkeys." Expressed in literary language, you can change the translation somewhat, getting the following phrase, which more clearly shows the reason for this name - "swallowed up or devoured by donkeys." This paints a vivid picture from the life of Ancient Greece, how donkeys crunch this plant with a great appetite.
It should be noted that even today the herb Astragalus sainfoin is held in high esteem by large herbivorous mammals. But the subspecies of this nutritious plant are increasingly found in the Red Data Books of the territories, where they once grew freely and abundantly.
Description
Astragalus sainfoin is a perennial plant with a taproot, many-headed branching root. From one root, numerous erect or ascending, branched and strong stems with light pubescence of appressed hairs appear on the surface of the earth.
Composite leaves have sharp-nosed stipules and are formed by oblong-linear leaves sitting on short petioles in pairs on one common petiole. There are from 6 to 17 such pairs. The surface of the leaves may have a slight short hairy pubescence.
Inflorescences of a large number of moth flowers that have not yet spread their petals resemble large heads of blooming red clover, located on peduncles, the length of which often exceeds the length of compound leaves. The natural color of flower corollas has absorbed various shades of purple, from light, almost white, to juicy dark purple. The corolla of the flower is protected by a hairy cap made of sepals accreted at the base of the flower, which then diverge from each other in the form of sharp-nosed denticles, becoming similar to the legs of a small animal, for example, a mouse.
The fruits of the plant are also pubescent - triangular bean pods, oblong-ovoid in shape.
In our country, it is found in the European part, in Ukraine, in the Caucasus, in Western Siberia.
Usage
Astragalus sainfoin is a nutritious food for ruminants of wild and domestic animals, both fresh on pastures and as prepared silage (fermented grass).
Traditional medicine uses the stems, leaves and flowers of the plant to treat gynecological diseases.
The highly decorative Astragalus Esparcetis is suitable for a rustic-style flower garden, decorating it with its purple-lilac inflorescences almost all summer. It also looks picturesque as a separate bush.
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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.
Sainfoin
Sainfoin (lat.Onobrychis) - a genus of nutritious perennial plants growing on pastures with calcareous soil, ranked by botanists in the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). The healing qualities of some species of the genus, which contribute to the health of animals that feed on these plants, make them attractive for use as feed for cattle and sheep.
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