Painted Milkvetch

Astragalus pictus-filifolius

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Basic Information

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Genus: astragalus

Plant ID (slug): astragalus-pictus-filifolius

Numeric ID: 22743

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Astragalus pictus-filifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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 soil.

Distribution

Western N. America - C. Idaho and E. Montana, Dakota and Nebraska.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - raw[46, 61, 105, 177]. Sweet[216]. In America it is dug up after rain and eaten as sweets[161, 213, 216, 257].

Medicinal Uses

None known

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].