Astragalus | |
---|---|
A. lentiginosus | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Clade: | Inverted repeat-lacking clade |
Tribe: | Galegeae |
Subtribe: | Astragalinae |
Genus: |
Astragalus L. |
Type species | |
Astragalus onobrychis[
disputed –
discuss] L.
| |
Species | |
Over 3,000 species, see list of Astragalus species | |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Astragalus is a large genus of over 3,000 species [2] of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. [3] The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch (most species), locoweed (in North America, some species) [4] and goat's-thorn ( A. gummifer, A. tragacantha). Some pale-flowered vetches ( Vicia spp.) are similar in appearance, but they are more vine-like than Astragalus.
Most species in the genus have pinnately compound leaves. [5] There are annual and perennial species. The flowers are formed in clusters in a raceme, each flower typical of the legume family, with three types of petals: banner, wings, and keel. The calyx is tubular or bell-shaped. [6] [7]
The genus was formally described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. [8]
The name Astragalus is Greek, an old name for this group of plants which were believed to have a positive effect on goat milk production. [9]
Astragalus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including many case-bearing moths of the genus Coleophora: C. cartilaginella, C. colutella, C. euryaula, and C. onobrychiella feed exclusively on Astragalus, C. astragalella and C. gallipennella feed exclusively on the species Astragalus glycyphyllos, and C. hippodromica is limited to Astragalus gombo.[ citation needed]
Astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine over centuries to treat various disorders, but there is no high-quality evidence that it is effective or safe for any medical purpose. [11] [12]
Extracts of astragalus root include diverse phytochemicals, such as saponins and isoflavone flavonoids, which are purported in traditional practices to increase lactation in nursing mothers. [13] There is no valid clinical evidence to indicate such use is effective or safe for the mother or infant. [13] Dietary supplement products containing astragalus extracts may not have been adequately tested for efficacy, safety, purity or consistency. [13] The root extracts of astragalus may be used in soups, teas or sold in capsules. [11]
Although astragalus supplements are generally well tolerated, mild gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and allergic reactions may occur. [11] [13] Because astragalus may affect regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure, it may be risky for people with blood disorders, diabetes, or hypertension to use it as a supplement. [11] Astragalus may interact with prescribed drugs that suppress the immune system, such as medications used by people being treated for cancer or recovery from organ transplants. [11]
Some astragalus species can be toxic, such as those found in the United States containing the neurotoxin swainsonine, which causes "locoweed" poisoning in animals. [11] Some astragalus species may contain high levels of selenium, possibly causing toxicity. [11]
Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers), and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.[ citation needed]
Astragalus | |
---|---|
A. lentiginosus | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Clade: | Inverted repeat-lacking clade |
Tribe: | Galegeae |
Subtribe: | Astragalinae |
Genus: |
Astragalus L. |
Type species | |
Astragalus onobrychis[
disputed –
discuss] L.
| |
Species | |
Over 3,000 species, see list of Astragalus species | |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Astragalus is a large genus of over 3,000 species [2] of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. [3] The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch (most species), locoweed (in North America, some species) [4] and goat's-thorn ( A. gummifer, A. tragacantha). Some pale-flowered vetches ( Vicia spp.) are similar in appearance, but they are more vine-like than Astragalus.
Most species in the genus have pinnately compound leaves. [5] There are annual and perennial species. The flowers are formed in clusters in a raceme, each flower typical of the legume family, with three types of petals: banner, wings, and keel. The calyx is tubular or bell-shaped. [6] [7]
The genus was formally described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. [8]
The name Astragalus is Greek, an old name for this group of plants which were believed to have a positive effect on goat milk production. [9]
Astragalus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including many case-bearing moths of the genus Coleophora: C. cartilaginella, C. colutella, C. euryaula, and C. onobrychiella feed exclusively on Astragalus, C. astragalella and C. gallipennella feed exclusively on the species Astragalus glycyphyllos, and C. hippodromica is limited to Astragalus gombo.[ citation needed]
Astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine over centuries to treat various disorders, but there is no high-quality evidence that it is effective or safe for any medical purpose. [11] [12]
Extracts of astragalus root include diverse phytochemicals, such as saponins and isoflavone flavonoids, which are purported in traditional practices to increase lactation in nursing mothers. [13] There is no valid clinical evidence to indicate such use is effective or safe for the mother or infant. [13] Dietary supplement products containing astragalus extracts may not have been adequately tested for efficacy, safety, purity or consistency. [13] The root extracts of astragalus may be used in soups, teas or sold in capsules. [11]
Although astragalus supplements are generally well tolerated, mild gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and allergic reactions may occur. [11] [13] Because astragalus may affect regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure, it may be risky for people with blood disorders, diabetes, or hypertension to use it as a supplement. [11] Astragalus may interact with prescribed drugs that suppress the immune system, such as medications used by people being treated for cancer or recovery from organ transplants. [11]
Some astragalus species can be toxic, such as those found in the United States containing the neurotoxin swainsonine, which causes "locoweed" poisoning in animals. [11] Some astragalus species may contain high levels of selenium, possibly causing toxicity. [11]
Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers), and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.[ citation needed]