Common Name: Chinese Milk Vetch

General Information

Astragalus sinicus is a biennial plant with slender stems 10 - 25cm long[].
This species used to be cultivated for its edible leaves in China[], It is commonly cultivated as a soil improver and green manure in Japan and other parts of east Asia[, , ].

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

E. Asia - central and southern China.

Habitat

Naturalized in Japan where it grows around paddy fields[]. Meadows at elevations of 50 - 1,800 metres, widespread in subtropical areas of China[]. Wet places, riversides, as a weed in rice fields[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	0.22 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. This species is often found in moist or wet soils[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[].
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

Young leaves - cooked[, ].
Seed[]. No more details on its use[]. The seed contains 36.6% protein and 5.3% fat[].

Medicinal

The plant is used in the treatment of blennorrhoea and also as an unguent for burns[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is grown as a green manure crop and soil improver in Japan[] and southern China[]. A traditional green manure in China, where it is used especially to improve the soil in rice fields and it is also used in green manure mixtures in cotton fields[].

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.