At least one of the reports on plant uses[], refers to the plant as being eaten in Iran. The current concept of this species is that it is only found in Macaronesia and the western Mediterranean. We have currently been unable to ascertain which, if any, species in Iran this report refers to. It is quite likely that the two species are closely related and that both can be used as a food, though due caution should be exercised if intending to try eating them[].

Common Name:

General Information

Astragalus edulis is an annual plant growing around 30cm tall.
The plant is harvsted from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides[].
A number of species can accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element[].
All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage.[]

Botanical References

Range

Macaronesia, Spain, Morocco, Algeria.

Habitat

Grassland and the transitional zone on the edges of the Sahara dessert.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in poor soils[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[].
This plant is a sub-shrub and although it produces woody stems these tend to die back almost to the base each winter.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[]. Many members of this genus can be difficult to grow, this may be due partly to a lack of their specific bacterial associations in the soil[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[, ]. Used fresh or dried[]. See notes on nomenclature before eating this plant[].
Judging by the photo of the young seedpod, it is just as likely that the fleshy seedpods were eaten either instead of or as well as the seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate[]. Stored seed, and perhaps also fresh seed, should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in hot water before sowing - but make sure that you do not cook the seed[, ]. Any seed that does not swell should be carefully pricked with a needle, taking care not to damage the embryo, and re-soaked for a further 24 hours[, ]. Germination can be slow and erratic but is usually within 4 - 9 weeks or more at 13°c if the seed is treated or sown fresh[]. As soon as it is large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.