Wu La Te Huang Qi

Astragalus hoantchy

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Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: astragalus

Plant ID (slug): astragalus-hoantchy

Numeric ID: 25853

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Astragalus hoantchy is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. 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 or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Manchuria.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots. A sweetish taste[179].

Medicinal Uses

Diuretic Pectoral Tonic The root is diuretic, pectoral and tonic[178, 218, 266].

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].