Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 757 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Astragalus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Europe to Caucasus
Description
Cicer milk-vetch, known botanically as Astragalus cicer, is a member of the Fabaceae family, a group widely recognized for its importance to agriculture and ecology through its nitrogen-fixing ability. Described and classified by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, Astragalus cicer is a testament to botanical history and traditional plant classification efforts.
Native to a broad range spanning from Europe to the Caucasus region, this resilient perennial thrives in temperate climates and is well-adapted to a variety of soil conditions. The species is identified by its sprawling growth habit and distinctive foliage. The leaves are pinnate, composed of multiple pairs of small, oblong leaflets, which create a feathery appearance. In summer, Cicer milk-vetch produces clusters of creamy-white to pale yellow flowers, which are typical of the legume family with their characteristic papilionaceous shape.
Astragalus cicer is not only admired for its aesthetic appeal in natural and cultivated landscapes but also valued for its role in sustainable agriculture. As with other legumes, it engages in a symbiotic relationship with root-nodulating bacteria, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. This natural fertilization process enriches the soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and promotes the health of surrounding plant communities.
Ecologically, Cicer milk-vetch serves as a valuable resource for pollinators, offering nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and improves soil structure, making it an excellent choice for land reclamation and habitat restoration projects.
In summary, Astragalus cicer represents the versatility and ecological benefits of the Fabaceae family. Its historical significance, coupled with its environmental contributions, underscores the importance of preserving diverse plant species within our ecosystems. Whether utilized for its nitrogen-fixing properties, its role in pollinator support, or its soil stabilization abilities, Cicer milk-vetch remains a significant plant species in both natural and managed environments.
Common Names
Eng: chick-pea milk-vetch, chickpea milkvetch, chickpea milk-vetch, cicer milk-vetch
Deu: kicher-tragant, kichertragant
Dan: rundbælget astragel
Fra: astragale pois-chiche, chiche sauvage
Lav: dedestiņu tragantzirnis
Spa: garbanzo, garbanzo silvestre
Swe: kikvedel, pulleakurjenherne
Fin: pulleakurjenherne
Est: põis-hundihammas
Nld: bergerwt
Nob: kikertmjelt
Nno: kikertmjelt
Cym: llaethwyg ffacbys
En: Cicer milk-vetch, Chickpea milk-vetch, Chickpea milkvetch, Astragel, Chick-pea Milk-vetch, Mountain chick-pea, CICER MILKVETCH
Be: Астрагал нутавы
Cv: Кушак çăмарти
Cs: Kozinec cizrnovitý
Da: Rundælget, Rundbælget astragel
Nl: Bergerwt
Et: Põis-hundihammas
Fi: Pulleakurjenherne
Fr: Astragale pois-chiche, Chiche sauvage, Chiche de montagne
De: Kichertragant, Kicher-Tragant, Kicherebsen-Tragant
It: Astragalo cece-selvatico, Cece selvatico
Lv: Dedestiņu tragantzirnis
Lt: Ilguolinė kulkšnė
Nb: Kikertmjelt
Nn: Kikertmjelt
Pl: Traganek pęcherzykowaty
Ru: Astragal nutovyj, Астрагал нутовый
Es: Garbanzo, Garbanzo silvestre
Sv: Kikvedel, Pulleakurjenherne
Tt: Нут дөя сеңере
Cy: Llaethwyg ffacbys
Synonyms
- Cystium pseudocicer ((Opiz) Opiz)
- Astragalus pseudocicer (Opiz)
- Tragacantha cicer ((L.) Kuntze)
- Astragalus cicer var. heldaviensis (Fuss)
- Astragalus mucronatus (DC.)
- Cystium cicer ((L.) Steven)
- Tragacantha mucronata ((DC.) Kuntze)
- Astragalus cicer var. pseudocicer ((Opiz) Beck)
- Astragaloides cicera ((L.) Moench)
- Astragalus cicer var. microphyllus ((L.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Astragalus cicer var. speciosus (Schur)
- Astragalus cicer var. angustifolius (Čelak.)
- Astragalus cicer var. major (DC.)
- Astragalus cicer var. dieffenbachii (Hegi)
- Astragalus cicer f. heldaviensis ((Fuss) Guşul.)
- Astragalus cicerinus (St.-Lag.)
- Astragalus heldaviensis (Lerchenf. ex Schur)
- Glaux astragaloides (Medik.)
Distribution
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Yukon (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 7, 2022 by Eylisia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Katie Zindler (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2021 by L Warren (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by lagoon jonny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Marco Varricchione Marco Varricchione (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Marco Varricchione Marco Varricchione (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Rossen Vassilev (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2011 by EOL − Hermann Falkner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique Duveau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Pierre GUDEL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2022 by Eylisia (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 31, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Лазарев Игорь (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Mateusz Bartczak (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5343253)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:476814-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Astragalus cicer L.)