Astragalus nebrodensis
Astragalus nebrodensis
Nebrodi milkstragalus (Astragalus nebrodensis (Guss.) Strobl, 1887) is a shrubby species belonging to the Fabaceae family.
Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Order Fabales,
Family Fabaceae,
Genus Astragalus,
Species A. nebrodensis.
Synonyms include:
– Astracantha nebrodensis (Guss.) Greuter;
– Astragalus siculus subsp. nebrodensis (Guss.) Arcang.
Etymology –
The term Astragalus comes from astrágalus, a legume mentioned by Pliny (perhaps from the Greek ἀστράγαλοϛ astrágalos, astragalus, alan bone, heel, vertebra, a bone used by the Greeks and Romans to make dice, which are reminiscent of the angular shape of the seeds (according to A. Gentil and Dave’s Garden) or the gnarled roots (according to D. Gledhill and Flowers in Israel). According to A. Neill, the name derives from ἀστήρ astér astro, star, and γάλα gála latte, due to the shape and color of the flower and because it was believed to increase the milk production of goats that feed on it, as the English common name Milk vetch would also seem to confirm.
The specific epithet nebrodensis originates from the Monti of the Madonie Mountains, which were once called the Nebrodi Mountains (not to be confused with the current Nebrodi Mountains).
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Astragalus nebrodensis is a plant endemic to Sicily, quite rare and found primarily in the highland pastures, clearings, and sunny slopes of the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains, between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
Its native habitat is calcareous substrates and arid or semi-arid environments, characterized by strong temperature variations and high wind exposure. Its presence is linked to relatively intact natural microhabitats, little disturbed by human activity.
Description –
Astragalus nebrodensis is a thorny, hemispherical shrub growing 50–70 cm tall, forming spiny cushions up to 2 m in diameter.
The stems are thin, branched, and generally prostrate or ascending.
The leaves are compound, odd-pinnate, with numerous elliptical or oblong leaflets, covered with light hairs. They consist of 8–18 spiny segments, the largest measuring 2 x 8–10 mm, with a weak apical mucro and persistent woolly hairs.
The flowers are yellowish-white, with pinkish-purple streaks, gathered in racemose inflorescences, typical of the Fabaceae family, with a papilionaceous corolla.
The plant flowers from May to August.
The fruits are small, swollen legumes containing kidney-shaped seeds.
Cultivation –
Astragalus nebrodensis is a rare and endemic plant, not widely cultivated for ornamental or agricultural purposes.
However, like many Fabaceae, it has the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen through symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Cultivation in natural settings or for ex situ conservation requires:
– calcareous, well-drained soil;
– sunny exposure;
– cool climate with strong temperature variations.
Propagation can be by seed, after scarification or treatments that promote germination.
Uses and Traditions –
The Astragalus genus is one of the largest of the Fabaceae, comprising over 2,000 species, found primarily in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Astragalus nebrodensis is an endemic species belonging to a taxonomically complex group, characterized by numerous morphological affinities among species.
There are no significant folk traditions directly linked to Astragalus nebrodensis, given its very limited distribution.
However, the Astragalus genus has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially in Asia. Some species are used for their immunostimulant, tonic, adaptogenic, and antioxidant properties.
It is important to note that not all Astragalus species are edible or safe: some may contain toxic alkaloids or accumulate harmful amounts of selenium. For this reason, the use of Astragalus nebrodensis in herbal medicine or phytotherapy is insufficiently documented and is therefore not recommended.
Preparation Methods –
There are no known traditional preparations for Astragalus nebrodensis.
For other Astragalus species used in phytotherapy, preparation methods include:
– Decoction of the dried roots;
– Root powders in capsules or tablets;
– Hydroalcoholic tinctures.
However, in the case of Nebrodi Astragalus, given its rarity and conservation value, its collection and direct use are not recommended, but rather the protection of its natural habitat.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and Experiences with Medicinal Herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://www.actaplantarum.org/galleria_flora/galleria1.php?id=5185
– https://dryades.units.it/floritaly/index.php?procedure=taxon_page&tipo=all&id=2380
Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.