Astragalus (Sturtevant, 1919)

← Aster

Sturtevant, Notes on edible plants, 1919 Astragalus (Sturtevant, 1919)

Astrocaryum →

Astragalus aboriginorum Richards.

Leguminosae. ASTRAGALUS.

Arctic North America. The roots are eaten by the Cree and Stone Indians of the Rocky Mountains.

Astragalus adscendens Boiss. & Haussk.

Persia. The plant affords an abundance of gum and also a manna.

Astragalus boeticus Linn.

SWEDISH COFFEE.

Mediterranean region. In certain parts of Germany and Hungary, this plant is cultivated for its seeds, which are roasted, ground and used as a substitute for coffee. Its culture is the same as that of the common pea or tare. The name applied to the seeds, Swedish coffee, would indicate that it is siso grown in Scandinavia.

Astragalus caryocarpus Ker-Gawl.

GROUND PLUM.

Mississippi region of North America. The unripe fruits are edible and are eaten raw or cooked.

Astragalus christianus Linn.

Asia Minor and Syria. In Taurus, the roots of the great, yellow milkvetch are sought as an article of food.

Astragalus creticus Lam.

Greece. This plant yields tragacanth.

Astragalus florulentus Boiss. & Haussk.

Persia. The plant yields a manna.

Astragalus gummifer Labill.

Syria. This is another species supplying a source of tragacanth.

Astragalus hamosus Linn.

Mediterranean region to India. The plant is grown particularly on account of the singularity of its fruits which, before maturity, resemble certain worms. They are of a mediocre taste but are employed in salads chiefly to cause an innocent surprise.

Astragalus kurdicus Boiss.

Kurdistan and Syria. The plant affords tragacanth.

Astragalus leioclados Boiss.

Persia. Tragacanth is produced by this plant.

Astragalus mexicanus A. DC.

Open plains and prairies from Illinois westward and southward. The unripe fruits are edible and are eaten raw or cooked by travelers.