Astragalus boeticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Astragalus
Species:
A. boeticus
Binomial name
Astragalus boeticus
L.
Synonyms

Astragalus baeticus

Astragalus boeticus, the yellow milk vetch, or Swedish coffee is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.[1]

Description

They have a self-supporting growth form and compound, broad leaves.[2][3]

They can grow to 0.6 meters (2 feet). The bloom period is between the months of July to August. The plant has both male and female organs. It can fix nitrogen. It is pollinated by Bees, Moths, and Butterflies.[4]

It is most commonly found in March and April. It is most commonly found in the country of Spain, being found more than 500 times there.[1]

Distribution

It can be found in the countries and islands of Albania, Algeria, The Baleares, The Canary Islands, Corsica, Cyprus, East Aegean Islands, Egypt, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Western Sahara, and Yugoslavia.[5]

Uses

The seed pods are edible. Roasted seeds are used as a substitute of coffee.[4]

It has been used as a coffee substitute, especially during the 1800s, when coffee was scarce. It was even used by the Swedish monarchy. There is evidence that Astragalus boeticus has a lot of genetic diversity, as it is found in most of the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East. Evidence suggests with limited breeding that it could be a better coffee substitute.[6]

Sources

 This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Astragalus boeticus​, . Encyclopedia of Life.

References

  1. 1 2 "Astragalus boeticus L." www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  2. ↑ "Astragalus boeticus L. - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  3. ↑ Mifsud, Stephen (2002-08-23). "Asplenium sagittatum (Mule's Fern) : MaltaWildPlants.com - the online Flora of the Maltese Islands". www.maltawildplants.com. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  4. 1 2 "Astragalus boeticus Swedish Coffee PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. ↑ "Astragalus boeticus L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  6. ↑ Prohens, Jaime; Andújar, Isabel; Vilanova, Santiago; Plazas, Mariola; Gramazio, Pietro; Prohens, Rafael; Herraiz, Francisco J.; De Ron, Antonio M. (2014-01-01). "Swedish coffee (Astragalus boeticus L.), a neglected coffee substitute with a past and a potential future". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 61 (1): 287–297. doi:10.1007/s10722-013-0059-0. hdl:10251/64447. ISSN 1573-5109.


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