Description, tips for growing the astragalus plant when planting in open ground, recommendations for its reproduction, difficulties associated with leaving and ways to solve them, notes for flower growers, types. Astragalus (Astragalus) belongs to a large genus of representatives of the flora that are part of the legume family (Fabaceae). If we rely on the data available on the The Plant List website, then in this genus the number of varieties reaches more than 2455 units. These plants are quite common and there is an opportunity to meet them all over the planet, but mainly in regions with a temperate climate. Although some species can grow both in tropical zones and in mountain ranges. Most astragalus (about 900) are characteristic of the flora of the Russian lands and adjacent areas, mainly in Central Asia. So in Kazakhstan, botanists have identified up to 309 different species of this genus, and 11 of them are included in the Red Book lists.
In nature, all varieties grow in river valleys or can decorate the slopes of gullies located in the steppe, and also loves Astragalus and not too thickened shrubs. However, since these representatives of the flora have become quite rare, they are not only included in the lists of protected plants, but are also actively introduced into culture, for example, the species of Astragalus dasyanthus.
| Family name | Legumes |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Herbaceous plant, semi-shrub, occasionally shrub |
| Reproduction | Seed |
| Landing period in open ground | March, April |
| Disembarkation scheme | At a distance of 10–20 cm between plants, between rows 40–45 cm |
| Substrate | Nutritious, loose |
| Illumination | Open area with bright lighting or partial shade |
| Moisture indicators | Moisture stagnation is harmful, watering of young plants is moderate, drainage is recommended |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | Up to 0.55 m |
| Color of flowers | Yellow, white, purple, purple |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Racemose, capitate or spike |
| Flowering time | May June |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Curbs, ridges, rock gardens, rockeries or places near water bodies |
| USDA zone | 3, 4, 5 |
Astragalus bears its name in Latin thanks to the translation of the word "Astragalus", which Dioscorides (about 40 AD - about 90 AD), who at one time was not only a military doctor and naturalist, but also a scientist engaged in pharmacology, called this bean plant. In turn, this term already resembled a Greek word for a dice made from a lamb's ankle. All this is due to the fact that the seeds, when ripe, take exactly this form.
This genus is distinguished by a very wide variety of forms, astragals take on grassy outlines or grow in the form of semi-shrubs, occasionally form into shrubs. The stems of the latter are well developed or can grow short. The surface of the stems is usually covered with simple hairs or with two tops. The stems rarely exceed 55 cm in height, and a large number of leaves are formed on them.
The foliage of Astragalus is distinguished by odd-pinnate outlines, occasionally taking on a pair-pinnate, trifoliate or simple form. But there is always one final leaf. The leaf petioles are elongated. The color of the leaflets is bright, green in color, although due to the whitish or reddish pubescence, it seems that the whole plant is covered with down.
When Astragalus blooms, the buds are collected in racemose inflorescences, often they can take capitate or spike-like outlines. The calyx of the flower has a bell-shaped shape or can be in the form of a tube. The color of the flowers is yellow. During fruiting, this part sometimes swells up and can be torn by a pod or left intact. If such a rupture occurs, then the bean is located in the cavity of the calyx. The corolla has a moth-shaped contour; the boat can be pointed or blunt. Stamens have the ability to grow together in two bundles - double-breasted. The flowering process falls on the period May-June.
Ripe beans have two nests, although they occasionally form as single nests. Their shape is varied: the fruits can be sessile or have a stalk, their surface is leathery or membranous, occasionally they are cartilaginous, in another case with blistery swelling. The surface of the beans is hard to the touch. When the bean is fully ripe, it will open or may remain intact. In the first case, its flaps remain in an unscrewed state or are only slightly wrapped. The ripening process takes time from July to September.
Growing astragalus plants in the open field
- Selection of a landing site. The plant prefers light, sandy or rocky soil, so it can be planted in a stone garden, rockery or rock garden. However, there are species that prefer nutritious soil and then they can be placed in the middle of a flower bed, in shrubs or among cereals. If the variety is distinguished by creeping shoots, then with its help they green the slopes or not very beautiful garden plots. The main thing is that the landing site is sunny or with a little shade. It is important that there is no stagnation of moisture and groundwater does not pass nearby. The soil for planting astragalus is selected nutritious, but with sufficient looseness.
- Landing Astragalus. For the cultivation of this medicinal plant, it is recommended to prepare the planting site in advance. First, the soil is dug up, and then the following preparations are introduced, on the basis that one square meter should account for: 2 kg of manure, 20 grams of ammonium nitrate, 10 grams of potassium salt and 30 grams of superphosphates. With the arrival of spring, the formation of holes or beds begins. They try to maintain a distance of 40–45 cm between them with a depth of pits or grooves of 2, 5–3 cm. If a species of woolly astragalus is planted, then about 10–20 cm is left between the plants.
- Watering. An adult plant tolerates drought well, but when the Astragalus seedlings are not yet strong enough, it is recommended to water them moderately. Stagnation of moisture is strictly prohibited.
- Fertilizers. Requires feeding after the end of the growing season (autumn). In the first year, such fertilizers are not needed, since astragalus takes all the nutrients from the substrate, which were already added to it during planting. In the second year of life, it is necessary to add up to 10 grams of ammonium nitrate and 20 grams of superphosphate released in granules per square meter. The plant responds well to organic matter, which can be slurry.
- General advice on care. It is recommended to regularly weed from varietal grass and, after watering, loosen the soil in the root zone. Since with the arrival of autumn, the entire above-ground part tends to die off, and only the rhizome remains in the soil for wintering, it will be necessary to spud the bush to a height of 5-10 cm, you can not cover it for the winter. Plants can be perfectly kept in one place for up to 4–5 years, but over time, such plantings begin to lose their decorative effect and it is recommended to rejuvenate them.
Astragalus breeding recommendations
Most growers prefer to sow Astragalus seeds. Usually, disembarkation time should be in early spring - the period from March to April. Before sowing, the seed is subjected to scarification - the destruction of the upper shell. All due to the fact that they are covered by a rather hard shell, it will have to be ground off a little (but not completely) using sandpaper. At the same time, germination after such preparation will grow from 20% to 80%. Additionally, heat treatment is carried out using cold and hot water. The seeds are placed in a linen bag, and then immersed in water at different temperatures for 20 seconds: first in hot, and then in cold.
The seeding depth when planting is 2, 5–3 cm, while between the rows they try to maintain up to 40–45 cm. After 20–25 days, the first shoots can be seen. At first, the rate of their growth is rather low and such seedlings will require careful maintenance. The latter consists of the fight against harmful insects that want to spoil the young leaves, as well as moistening the soil, loosening it and weeding it. Young growth can withstand even short-term frosts.
Difficulties associated with caring for astragalus
The main problem when growing Astragalus in the garden is attacks by spider mites, scoops or caterpillars. Therefore, it is recommended to collect pests by hand (if possible) and spray with insecticidal preparations. This plant suffers from a waterlogged substrate, as the root system will rot. If such symptoms are detected, then treatment with fungicidal agents is necessary.
Notes for florists about astragalus and photos
Although the chemical composition of Astragalus is poorly studied, it has long been used by healers to make medicines. In its parts, it contains such active substances as polysaccharides and glycosides, as well as sitosterol and flavonoids. Due to their medicinal properties, the following varieties are used in medicine:
- On the basis of the herb Astragalus densely branched, an aqueous infusion is prepared and used as a tonic, which perfectly copes with fatigue, and can relieve headaches.
- If preparations are made from the herbaceous part of the woolly astragalus, they will help stimulate the heart, dilate the vessels of some internal organs and gently reduce blood pressure. Also, funds based on this plant contribute to the expansion of the coronary vessels, which serve to nourish the heart and kidneys, an acceleration of blood circulation occurs and a diuretic effect can be caused.
In ancient and also medieval medical books about astragalus they wrote: “A plant with yellow flowers and a quince smell. With the use of the broth, nerve diseases can recede."
However, despite the fact that Astragalus is practically not used in official medicine, there are two contraindications to the use of drugs based on Astragalus: an advanced form of hypertension and pregnancy at any time.
Due to the fact that some varieties contain gum, which is located in the core or heart-shaped rays and such a substance is referred to as tragacanth, it is customary to use this representative of the flora not only as a raw material for medicines, but also for technical purposes. That is, such plantings are raw materials for the extraction of gum.
The most common use of astragalus is that the inhabitants of Central Asia use its shrub forms for kindling.
Astragalus species
- Astragalus woolly (Astragalus dasyanthus). The pharmacy name is the term - herb Astragalus woolly (Herba Astragali dasyanthi). A perennial plant, the stems and leaves of which have a shaggy pubescence of long hairs. The stems do not grow more than 10–40 cm in height, are well developed, and are dotted with foliage. The leaves have short petioles, the shape of the plate is pinnate, consisting of 12-14 pairs of leaf lobes. The outlines of leaflets are lanceolate-oblong, on both sides of which there is a dense pubescence of silky whitish hairs. During flowering, the buds are combined into inflorescences of a capitate, almost spherical shape. The color of the petals is bright yellow. Inflorescences are crowned with long flowering stems. The flowers have a delicate honey aroma. The flowering process begins from the first summer days and can last until the end of July. The fruit is an oval bean with a leathery surface. They are formed on the plant from five to 15 units. Beans begin to fully ripen from mid-summer to September. In nature, it prefers to settle on the slopes of the ravines located in the steppe regions. It is found in Ukraine and the European part of Russia, covering Moldova, Hungary and the lands of the Balkan Peninsula. Due to its rarity, it was listed in the Red Book, its rhizome and herbaceous part are used for the manufacture of medicines.
- Astragalus membranous (Astragalus propinquus) also found under the names Centaury or Cat Pea. The species is endangered and is listed in the Red Book. The native area of distribution falls on the lands of the Northern Hemisphere, but is rarely found on the South American continent and in the tropics. Perennial with a herbaceous form of growth, reaching 60 cm in height. Flowering stems are strong, growing singly, upright. The inflorescence is a loose brush, which combines 10-15 flowers. The color of their petals is bright yellow. Flowering is observed in June-July, while the fruits ripen from July to September. In medicinal flowers, both the root and the herb are used.
- Danish Astragalus (Astragalus danicus) bears the name Astragalus meadow, and is popularly called "cotton candy". Basically, the native lands are the territories of Denmark and eastern and western Europe. But such a plant is a frequent visitor on the lands of Kazakhstan and the Trans-Urals, spreading to the southern regions of Yakutia. Prefers light and dry places, such as pine forest edges. For the manufacture of drugs, all parts are used, except for the rhizome. Perennial, stems reaching 10–40 cm. Stems in the lower part have branching, can grow both ascending and outstretched. The color of the plant is grayish-green, its surface is covered with pubescence of black and whitish hairs. The foliage is sessile, the shape of the plate is pinnate. The leaf is composed of 13–25 lobes with oblong-lanceolate or oblong-oval outlines. The apex of the leaf lobes is blunt. When flowering, flowering stems are formed in length exceeding the leaves. The inflorescence is a capitate racemes. The flowers do not have pedicels and are practically sessile, the calyx has fluffy outlines due to blackish hairs, the corolla is purple. This species blooms between June and July. The fruit is a bean that takes an elliptical or ovoid shape. The surface color is reddish, there is a shaggy pubescence. The fruit is two-celled. The shape of the seeds is round-kidney-shaped, they are painted in a reddish-brown color. Ripening is extended from July to August.
- Sandy Astragalus (Astragalus arenarius). It bears its specific name due to the growing area, which falls on sandy soils in forests, with good illumination, it is found along coastal areas of rivers, on embankments near railway tracks or road shoulders. The native area of distribution falls on European areas, the lands of Ukraine and the European part of Russia, it can also grow in Central Russia, where there are no black soil. In height, such a plant is in the range of 10–40 cm. The stem is branched, grows angular and ascending. The foliage is feathery, has pubescence. The bracts have whitish cilia on the edge. The shade of flowers is light purple or lilac, although occasionally there are specimens with snow-white petals. From them, short brushes are collected, consisting of 3-7 buds. Blooms from June to July. Bean-shaped fruits with linear-oblong contours, pubescent with whitish hairs. Fruiting begins in mid-summer.
