Difference between revisions of "Astragalus"

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:''This article is about the plant genus. The [[talus bone]] of the [[ankle]] is also sometimes called the Astragalus.''
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{{SPlantbox
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{{Taxobox
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|familia=Fabaceae
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| color = lightgreen
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|genus=Astragalus
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| name = ''Astragalus''
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|taxo_author=L.
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| image = Astragalus centralpinus.JPG
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|Temp Metric=°F
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| image_width = 240px
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|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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| image_caption = ''Astragalus centralpinus''
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|image=Astragalus centralpinus.JPG
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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|image_width=180
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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|image_caption=Astragalus centralpinus
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| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
 
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| ordo = [[Fabales]]
 
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| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
 
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| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
 
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| tribus = [[Galegeae]]
 
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| genus = '''''Astragalus'''''
 
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| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
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| subdivision =  
 
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See text.
 
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Astragalus''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|As-trá-ga-lus]]'') is a large genus of about 2,000 species of [[herb]]s and small [[shrub]]s, belonging to the [[legume]] family [[Fabaceae]], [[subfamily]] [[Faboideae]]. The genus is native to temperate regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. Common names include '''milk-vetch''' (most species) and [[goat's-thorn]] (''A. gummifera, A. tragacanthus''). Some pale-flowered [[Vicia|vetch]]es are similar in appearance, but vetches are more [[vine]]-like.
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{{Inc|
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Astragalus alpinus, Linn. Height 6-15 in.: lfts. 13-25: fls. violet, keel darker: pods 1-celled, black-pubescent. Northern and Arctic regions around the world.
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}}
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{{Inc|
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Astragalus (ancient Greek name of some shrub). Leguminosae. Milk Vetch. Hardy herbs or sub- shrubs, now and then seen in plantings.
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Leaves mostly odd-pinnate, sometimes simple: fls. in spikes or racemes, yellow, purple or white; calyx tubular, its teeth nearly equal; petals clawed, the standard erect; stamens in 2 clusters, the anthers similar: pods fleshy, leathery or papery, not much swollen, as they are in the membranous-fegumed Phaca, the nearest relative. —About 1,500 species. Many kinds are cult, in the Old World, but those described below are the only kinds commonly sold in Amer. The loco-weed of the prairies, which is said to poison cattle, is A. mollissimus. For those below and many others, the student is referred to Britton and Brown's Illustrated Flora, Nelson's Manual of Rocky Mountain Botany, and Rydberg's Flora of Colorado. The botanical characters arc mostly found in the pods.
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Astragaluses prefer a light, porous soil and no shade. The dwarfer kinds may be placed in the front of the border or in the rockery.
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Propagation is chiefly by seeds, which germinate slowly, or by careful division in early spring. Many kinds are likely to die if divided or transplanted, as they are mycorrhizal plants, much dependent on a semi- parasitic organism, which is better left undisturbed.
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A. racemosus, Pursh. Zigzag, erect st.: lfts. 17-21: fls. yellowish in loose racemes. July. Plains of Cent. U.S. —A. Robbiniii, Oakes. Erect and glabrous: lfts. 9-25: fls. in loose racemes, white or purple: pods 1-celled, flattened. Suitable for rocky places. June, July. N. E. U. S.—A. Shortianus, Nutt. Silvery canescent: lfts. 9-15: fls. blue or violet: pods sessile, 1-celled, strongly curved upward. May, June. Plains of Cent. U. S.
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}}
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==Cultivation==
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'''''Astragalus''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|As-trá-ga-lus]]'') is a large genus of about 2,000 species of [[herb]]s and small [[shrub]]s, belonging to the [[legume]] family [[Fabaceae]], [[subfamily]] [[Faboideae]]. The genus is native to temperate regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. Common names include '''milk-vetch''' (most species) and [[goat's-thorn]] (''A. gummifera, A. tragacanthus''). Some pale-flowered [[Vicia|vetch]]es are similar in appearance, but vetches are more [[vine]]-like.
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===Propagation===
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===Pests and diseases===
  
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''Astragalus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including the following case-bearers of the genus ''[[Coleophora]]'': ''C. astragalella'' (feeds exclusively on ''A. glycyphyllos''), ''C. cartilaginella'' (feeds exclusively on ''Astragalus''), ''C. colutella'', ''C. euryaula'' (feeds exclusively on ''Astragalus''), ''C. gallipennella'' (feeds exclusively on ''A. glycyphyllos''), ''C. hippodromica'' (feeds exclusively on ''A. gombo''), ''C. onobrychiella'' (feeds exclusively on ''Astragalus''), ''C. polonicella'' (feeds exclusively on ''A. arenarius'') and ''C. vicinella''.
 
  
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==Species==
 
;Selected species
 
;Selected species
 
{|
 
{|
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==Medicinal use==
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==Gallery==
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''[[Astragalus membranaceus]]'', or ''huángqí'' ([[wiktionary:黄|黄]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "yellow leader"; also called ''běiqí'', [[wiktionary:北|北]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in [[traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese medicine]]. It is believed to be a [[galactagogue]], and recent studies show that it may strengthen the human immune system.
 
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The natural gum [[tragacanth]], which is used in [[pharmaceutical]]s and [[textile]]s, is obtained from ''Astragalus tragacanthus''. It is claimed to help the [[immune system]], and to increase the body's resistance to common [[virus]]es.
 
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In western herbal medicine, Astragalus is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea made from the roots of the plant. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries[[http://www.gaiagarden.ca/products/astragalus/]].
 
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The biotech company [[Geron Corporation]] has determined that a molecule from this plant called TA-65 is a [[telomerase]] activator.  According to PRNewswire, TA Sciences, has a license from Geron to sell TA-65 and is now selling it as a neutraceutical anti-aging product at their TA Sciences Center in New York City. [http://sev.prnewswire.com/biotechnology/20070409/NYM08109042007-1.html]
 
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==Traditional use of ''huang qi'' (radix astragali)==
 
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*Replenishes the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach
 
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*Causes the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach to Ascend
 
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*Benefits the Qi and consolidates the surface, controls sweating
 
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*Promotes urination and disperses swelling caused by a deficiency pattern
 
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*Promotes the discharge of pus and speeds healing
 
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*Tonifies and nourishes the Qi and Blood
 
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*Used for Wasting and Thirsting syndrome (diabetes)
 
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It enters the Lung and Spleen meridians and its properties are Sweet and Slightly Warm
 
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Contraindications: Deficient Yin with Heat, Exterior Excess Heat
 
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Notes: Prepare with Honey to tonify Spleen and Stomach Qi, with wine to tonify the essence or with salt to tonify the Kidneys.
 
  
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==Ornamental use==
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<gallery perrow=5>
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Several species, including ''A. alpinus'' (bluish-purple flowers), ''A. hypoglottis'' (purple flowers) and ''A. lotoides'', are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in gardens.
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
  
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== External references ==
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==References==
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{{Commons}}
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<references/>
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* [http://ginger.ucdavis.edu/astragalus/astragalus_home.htm Astragalus]
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Astragalus_microcephalus Medicinal uses of Astragalus in Armenia]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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* [http://www.online-vitamins-guide.com/supplements/astragalus.htm Astragalus Supplements]
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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* [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb26.htm Astralagus information]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
  
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[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Faboideae]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
 
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[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
 

Latest revision as of 03:26, 29 January 2010


Astragalus centralpinus


Plant Characteristics
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Fabaceae >

Astragalus >

L. >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!


Astragalus (As-trá-ga-lus) is a large genus of about 2,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milk-vetch (most species) and goat's-thorn (A. gummifera, A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more vine-like.


Read about Astragalus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Astragalus alpinus, Linn. Height 6-15 in.: lfts. 13-25: fls. violet, keel darker: pods 1-celled, black-pubescent. Northern and Arctic regions around the world.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.



Read about Astragalus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Astragalus (ancient Greek name of some shrub). Leguminosae. Milk Vetch. Hardy herbs or sub- shrubs, now and then seen in plantings.

Leaves mostly odd-pinnate, sometimes simple: fls. in spikes or racemes, yellow, purple or white; calyx tubular, its teeth nearly equal; petals clawed, the standard erect; stamens in 2 clusters, the anthers similar: pods fleshy, leathery or papery, not much swollen, as they are in the membranous-fegumed Phaca, the nearest relative. —About 1,500 species. Many kinds are cult, in the Old World, but those described below are the only kinds commonly sold in Amer. The loco-weed of the prairies, which is said to poison cattle, is A. mollissimus. For those below and many others, the student is referred to Britton and Brown's Illustrated Flora, Nelson's Manual of Rocky Mountain Botany, and Rydberg's Flora of Colorado. The botanical characters arc mostly found in the pods.

Astragaluses prefer a light, porous soil and no shade. The dwarfer kinds may be placed in the front of the border or in the rockery.

Propagation is chiefly by seeds, which germinate slowly, or by careful division in early spring. Many kinds are likely to die if divided or transplanted, as they are mycorrhizal plants, much dependent on a semi- parasitic organism, which is better left undisturbed.

A. racemosus, Pursh. Zigzag, erect st.: lfts. 17-21: fls. yellowish in loose racemes. July. Plains of Cent. U.S. —A. Robbiniii, Oakes. Erect and glabrous: lfts. 9-25: fls. in loose racemes, white or purple: pods 1-celled, flattened. Suitable for rocky places. June, July. N. E. U. S.—A. Shortianus, Nutt. Silvery canescent: lfts. 9-15: fls. blue or violet: pods sessile, 1-celled, strongly curved upward. May, June. Plains of Cent. U. S.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Species

Selected species
  • Astragalus missouriensis
  • Astragalus monspessulanus
  • Astragalus newberryi
  • Astragalus norvegicus
  • Astragalus nuttallii
  • Astragalus onobrychis
  • Astragalus penduliflorus
  • Astragalus purshii
  • Astragalus sempervirens
  • Astragalus shinanensis
  • Astragalus shiroumaensis
  • Astragalus sirinicus
  • Astragalus spatulatus
  • Astragalus trichopodus
  • Astragalus tridactylus
  • Astragalus tragacanthus

Gallery

  • photo 1

  • photo 2

  • photo 3

References

External links


Retrieved from "http://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Astragalus&oldid=95166"