Chinese Milkvetch

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Milkvetch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tragacantha chinensis
• Glycyrrhiza costulata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is further identified by the genus Astragalus, specifically as the species Astragalus chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated across East Asia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found growing in the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye regions. Its distribution also extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the territory of Manchuria. Furthermore, the species is documented within the Inner Mongolia region of China. These combined locations define the primary natural habitat for Astragalus chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astragalus chinensis is defined by its ability to colonize diverse and often challenging landscapes, demonstrating significant adaptability to various soil textures and moisture levels. It is characteristically found thriving in the riparian zones of rivers, where the availability of water supports its growth, as well as in sandy terrains and stony places that offer well-drained substrates. Furthermore, the plant frequently integrates into shrubberies, where it can coexist within complex vegetative structures, utilizing the microclimates provided by woody shrubs. This distribution across both moist riverine environments and more arid, rocky, or sandy habitats highlights its ecological versatility in diverse topographical settings.

Habitat :

rivers, sand, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Astragalus chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, though its developmental patterns can be variable depending on environmental conditions. As a perennial species, it is capable of surviving for multiple growing seasons, establishing a robust root system that allows it to persist in its habitat over long periods. Throughout its life cycle, the plant undergoes seasonal transformations, typically emerging from its perennial structures to produce foliage and reproductive organs during favorable growing periods. This longevity and ability to endure through varying annual cycles contribute to its ability to stabilize within its ecological niche, often exhibiting a lifecycle that can fluctuate between more rapid growth phases and periods of sustained vegetative persistence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astragalus chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing, liana, or vine tendencies. In terms of physical dimensions, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.33 m to a maximum of 0.35 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.33 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astragalus chinensis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that facilitates its pollination and subsequent seed production. The flowering process typically begins in June, marking the onset of its reproductive phase, and continues through the month of July before concluding. This relatively concentrated blooming period ensures that the plant's reproductive efforts are synchronized with optimal environmental conditions, allowing for the successful development of flowers during the mid-summer months.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Astragalus chinensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Astragalus chinensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Daucosterol, OCTACOSANE, acetic acid, alanine, arginine.

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

OCTACOSANE

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

acetic acid

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

alanine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

arginine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

choline

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

fructose

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

kaempferol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

sucrose

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

threonine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica