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 .
Quick Facts Astragalus, Scientific classification ...
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 ā discuss ] L.
Species
Over 3,000 species, see list of Astragalus species
Synonyms [1]
Acanthophaca Nevski
Acanthyllis Pomel
Ailuroschia Steven
Alopecias Steven
Ammodytes Steven
Anaphragma Steven
Ankylobus Steven
Astenolobium Nevski
Astracantha Podlech
Astragalina Bubani
Astragaloides Adans.
Atelophragma Rydb.
Aulosema Walp.
Barnebyella Podlech
Batidophaca Rydb.
Brachyphragma Rydb.
Caryolobium Steven
Chondrocarpus Steven
Cnemidophacos Rydb.
Contortuplicata Medik.
Craccina Steven
Cryptorrhynchus Nevski
Ctenophyllum Rydb.
Cymbicarpos Steven
Cystium Steven
Cystopora Lunell
Didymopelta Regel & Schmalh.
Diholcos Rydb.
Dipelta Regel & Schmalh.
Diplotheca Hochst.
Euilus Steven
Euprepia Steven
Feidanthus Steven
Geoprumnon Rydb.
Glandula Medik.
Glaux Hill
Glottis Medik.
Glycyphylla Steven
Gynophoraria Rydb.
Halicacabus (Bunge) Nevski
Hamaria Fourr.
Hamosa Medik.
Hedyphylla Steven
Hesperastragalus A.Heller
Hesperonix Rydb.
Hippomanica Molina
Holcophacos Rydb.
Homalobus Nutt.
Hypoglottis Fourr.
Jonesiella Rydb.
Kentrophyta Nutt.
Kirchnera Opiz
Lithoon Nevski
Lonchophaca Rydb.
Macrosema Steven
Medyphylla Opiz
Microphacos Rydb.
Myctirophora Nevski
Myobroma Steven
Neodielsia Harms
Oedicephalus Nevski
Onix Medik.
Onyx Medik.
Ophiocarpus (Bunge) Ikonn.
Orophaca Britton [Note 1]
Oxyglottis (Bunge) Nevski
Pedina Steven
Phaca L.
Phacomene Rydb.
Phacopsis Rydb.
Philammos Steven
Physondra Raf.
Picraena Steven
Pisophaca Rydb.
Podlechiella Maassoumi & Kaz.Osaloo [Note 1]
Podochrea Fourr.
Poecilocarpus Nevski
Proselias Steven
Psychridium Steven
Pterophacos Rydb.
Rydbergiella Fedde & Syd. ex Rydb.
Saccocalyx Steven
Sewerzowia Regel & Schmalh.
Solenotus Steven
Stella Medik.
Tium Medik.
Tragacantha Mill.
Triquetra Medik.
Xerophysa Steven
Xylophacos Rydb.
Close
Fruits and seeds of Astragalus hamosus