Introduction to Chinese Milk Vetch and FAQ
Chinese Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinicus), as its name suggests, has pale purple flowers that bloom beautifully. In addition, it is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, a plant that combines ornamental and practical value. It is distributed throughout China, mostly growing in moist places in valley forests at altitudes of 400-3000 m. Let us take a closer look at it below.
Morphological Characteristics
Also known as qiaoyao, red flower grass, etc., it is a biennial herb in the Fabaceae family, about 30 cm tall, much branched, creeping on the ground, densely covered with white soft hairs. The leaves are pinnately compound, with a large number of leaflets that are obovate or elliptical, slightly pointed at the tip, mostly connate at the base, and the petiole is relatively short and ovate.
The inflorescence is cymose, the pedicel is relatively short and covered with white soft hairs. The flowering period is from February to June, and the flower color is pale yellow or purplish red, with semicircular petals; the ovary is hairless or densely covered with short white soft hairs. The fruiting period is from March to July, and the pod is oblong, slightly curved, with a black surface bearing raised reticulate veins; the seed is chestnut brown and kidney-shaped.
Growth Habits
It prefers a warm and humid climate and has a certain degree of cold resistance. Keeping the temperature above 10 degrees in winter allows it to overwinter safely. It has no strict requirements for soil, but prefers fertile, loose, and moist soil, with a soil pH of 5.5-7.5.
The suitable temperature for seed germination is 15-25 degrees. During the germination process, sufficient water and oxygen must be maintained to promote rapid seedling growth and emergence as soon as possible. It is intolerant of waterlogging; soaking in water during the growing period will cause its root system to rot and die. It is not drought-tolerant, and drought will affect plant growth or cause root death from lack of water. Therefore, the amount of watering should be controlled, and it is enough to keep the soil moist. Generally, watering is more frequent in summer and winter, and the amount of watering should be appropriately reduced in spring and autumn.
Main Value
Ornamental value: The flowers are beautiful, and cultivation is relatively simple. It is suitable for potted plants or cut flower materials, with excellent ornamental quality.
Ecological value: Chinese Milk Vetch has strong nitrogen fixation ability and high utilization efficiency. It is an important green manure crop. When the plant dies and decays, it can greatly stimulate soil nitrogen and plays an important role in maintaining the nitrogen cycle of the ecosystem. It is also a good livestock feed, rich in nutrients, but it should not be given in excess, as it easily causes bloating disease.
Edible value: The tender shoots and twigs of Chinese Milk Vetch can be eaten as vegetables. It is also one of China's important nectar source plants. Its flowers have a natural delicate fragrance and a fresh, sweet taste. Honey made from its nectar as a raw material is rich in nutrients and highly active.
Medicinal value: The whole plant can be used as medicine, with effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, activating blood circulation and improving eyesight. It is used for cough, sore throat, and traumatic bleeding.
The above is an introduction to Chinese Milk Vetch. Chinese Milk Vetch has strong vitality and is a warmth-loving plant that grows better in warm regions. Its flower language is happiness. Motto: Happiness is not inevitable; as long as you know how to cherish it, happiness is within easy reach.