Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 760 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Astragalus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Subarctic and Subalpine Northern Hemisphere
Description
Alpine milk-vetch is an intriguing and resilient plant known scientifically as Astragalus alpinus. First documented in the mid-18th century by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” the Alpine milk-vetch continues to fascinate botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Belonging to the Fabaceae family, this hardy perennial thrives in the harsh climates of the Subarctic and Subalpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is particularly suited to withstand the cold and often unforgiving environments, making it a vital component of the ecosystems where it is found.
The Alpine milk-vetch is notable for its ability to adapt to various terrains, often growing in rocky and nutrient-poor soils where few other plants can survive. This plant not only aids in stabilizing the soil but also contributes to the nitrogen content, thanks to its relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This ecological function is crucial, as it enriches the soil and supports the growth of other plant species in the vicinity.
One of the remarkable features of the Alpine milk-vetch is its striking flowers, which vary in color from shades of purple and blue to sometimes white. These flowers bloom during the brief summer period, taking advantage of the limited window for growth and reproduction. The flowers are a vital food source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which play a key role in the plant’s reproductive cycle.
Understanding the adaptive strategies and ecological importance of Astragalus alpinus underlines its significance in the regions it inhabits. Conservation of this species is essential, particularly as climate change and human activities continue to alter and threaten its natural habitats. Through continuous study and conservation efforts, we can ensure that Alpine milk-vetch remains a vibrant and enduring part of our planet’s botanical diversity.
Common Names
Dan: alpe-astragel
Deu: alpen-tragant
Eng: alpine milk-vetch, alpine milkvetch
Nor: ertflok
Swe: fjällvedel, tunturikurjenherne
Nno: setermjelt
Nob: setermjelt
Fin: tunturikurjenherne
Fra: astragale alpin, astragale des alpes
Sme: duottarsáhpal
Gla: bliochd-pheasair ailpeach
Cym: llaethwyg mynyddig, llaethwyg y mynydd
En: Alpine milk-vetch, Alpine milkvetch
Zh: 高山黄耆, 高山黄芪
Da: Alpe-astragel
Nl: Alpentragant
Fi: Tunturikurjenherne
Fr: Astragale alpin, Astragale des Alpes
De: Alpen-Tragant
Is: Seljahnúta
It: Astragalo alpino
Se: Duottarsáhpal
No: Setermjelt, Ertflok
Nb: Setermjelt
Nn: Setermjelt
Gd: Bliochd-pheasair Ailpeach
Sv: Fjällvedel, Tunturikurjenherne
Zh-tw: 高山黃耆
Zh-hant: 高山黃耆
Cy: Llaethwyg y mynydd, Llaethwyg Mynyddig
Synonyms
- Atelophragma alpinum ((L.) Rydb.)
- Astragaloides alpina ((L.) Medik.)
- Phaca astragalina (DC.)
- Tragacantha alpina ((L.) Kuntze)
- Astragalina alpina ((L.) Bubani)
- Tium alpinum ((L.) Rydb.)
- Phaca minima (All.)
- Astragalus phacinus (E.H.L.Krause)
- Astragalus astragalinus (E.Sheld.)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- Austria (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Utah (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Washington (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2018 by marlies schneider (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Pierre Bédard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 18, 2021 by Aad Kop (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 16, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Christian Widmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 6, 2022 by Stefano Lazzaretti (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 16, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 1, 2018 by Vladimír Valach (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 1995 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5345014)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:24418-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Astragalus alpinus L.)