Common Name:

General Information

Astragalus exscapus is a dwarf, deciduous shrub with no stem or a short stem up to 10cm long and short branches that become more or less woody. The plant grows 10 - 25cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and coffee substitute.

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

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Range

C. Europe - Germany to Italy, east to Ukraine and Greece; W. Asia - Turkey.

Habitat

Steppe and foothills, on limestone soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
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

The seeds are used as a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of syphilitic sores[].

The roots are used as a purgative. They contain oil, sugars and an aromatic resin[].

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.