Liquorice milkvetch

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• licorice milk-vetch
• liquorice milk-vetch
• Wild Liquorice
• sweet milk-vetch
• licorice milkvetch
• liquorice milkvetch
• wild licorice

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tragacantha glycyphyllos
• Hedyphylla glycyphylla
• Astragalus glycyphyllos var. rotundifolius
• Hamosa glycyphyllos
• Astragalus glycyphyllos f. bosniacus
• Astragalus glycyphyllos proles bosniacus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Astragalus, with the species name glycyphyllos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the landscapes of Great Britain. The species is also documented to inhabit parts of Norway. Finally, its range includes the territory of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astragalus glycyphyllos is fundamentally defined by its preference for specific vegetative structures, primarily thriving within forest ecosystems and dense shrubberies. In these environments, the plant occupies niches where the interplay of light filtration and soil moisture is modulated by the surrounding canopy and shrub layers. By inhabiting forest edges and shrubby thickets, it benefits from the structural complexity of these habitats, which provides necessary protection from extreme environmental fluctuations while allowing for the specialized microclimates required for its growth and development.

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Astragalus glycyphyllos is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its regenerative buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable periods. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astragalus glycyphyllos is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.575 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.575 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astragalus glycyphyllos is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey for supplemental nitrogen. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 27.205 cm², a morphological trait that contributes to its overall canopy structure and light interception capabilities. Furthermore, it possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 257.08 cm²/g, reflecting a specific strategy in leaf mass distribution and resource allocation relative to its surface area for gas exchange and light absorption.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

27.205 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

257.08 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astragalus glycyphyllos is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in June, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome. Specifically, the plant relies on insects, with bees playing a key role in the pollination process; furthermore, self-fertilization is absent, necessitating these external agents for successful reproduction. Following fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds are characterized by a relatively small mass, with a mean weight of approximately 0.0049805 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00299 g to a maximum of 0.00717 g. Once released, the seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind to facilitate their spread.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00717 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0049805 g

Seed mass min:

0.00299 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Astragalus glycyphyllos has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include COUMESTROL, Isoflavone.

COUMESTROL

1. Journal of food science and technology

Isoflavone

1. Journal of food science and technology

Preparations

Astragalus glycyphyllos has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Freeze-dried samples.

Freeze-dried samples

1. Journal of food science and technology