Overview
Comprehensive Description
Description
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Distribution
Localities documented in Tropicos sources
Afghanistan (Asia)
China (Asia)
Mongolia (Asia)
Pakistan (Asia)
Russian Federation (Asia)
Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 2010. Fl. China 10: 1–642. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/100000625
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Localities documented in Tropicos sources
China (Asia)
Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 1988-2013. Fl. China Unpaginated. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/42480
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 2010. Fl. China 10: 1–642. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/100000625
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Localities documented in Tropicos sources
China (Asia)
Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 1988-2013. Fl. China Unpaginated. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/42480
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Localities documented in Tropicos sources
China (Asia)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)
Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.
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Molina Rosito, A. 1975. Enumeración de las plantas de Honduras. Ceiba 19(1): 1–118.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/866
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 2010. Fl. China 10: 1–642. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/100000625
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USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/100004579
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Localities documented in Tropicos sources
United States (North America)
Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.
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Anonymous. 1986. List-Based Rec., Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S.D.A. Database of the U.S.D.A., Beltsville.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1103
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Munz, P. A. & D. D. Keck. 1959. Cal. Fl. 1–1681. University of California Press, Berkeley.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1717
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Barneby, R. C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 13(1–2): 1–1188.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/85
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Cronquist, A. J., A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren, Reveal & P. K. Holmgren. 1989. Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A., FABALES. 3B: 1–279. In A. J. Cronquist, A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren, J. L. Reveal & P. K. Holmgren (eds.) Intermount. Fl. Hafner Pub. Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/35722
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Physical Description
Morphology
Description
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Description
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Ecology
Associations
Bremiola onobrychidis causes gall of leaf of Astragalus
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / feeds on
Globiceps flavomaculatus feeds on fruit (unripe) of Astragalus
Other: minor host/prey
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Life History and Behavior
Cyclicity
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Statistics of barcoding coverage
| Specimen Records: | 234 | Public Records: | 146 |
| Specimens with Sequences: | 292 | Public Species: | 56 |
| Specimens with Barcodes: | 258 | Public BINs: | 0 |
| Species: | 70 | ||
| Species With Barcodes: | 68 | ||
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Barcode data
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Locations of barcode samples
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Wikipedia
Astragalus
Astragalus (As-trá-ga-lus) is a large genus of about 3,000 species[1] of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milk-vetch (most species), locoweed (in western US, some species; although most locoweeds are not genus Astragalus but in related genera)[2] and goat's-thorn (A. gummifer, A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more vine-like.
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Species
Astragalus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the following case-bearers of the genus Coleophora: C. astragalella (feeds exclusively on A. glycyphyllos), C. cartilaginella (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. colutella, C. euryaula (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. gallipennella (feeds exclusively on A. glycyphyllos), C. hippodromica (feeds exclusively on A. gombo), C. onobrychiella (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. polonicella (feeds exclusively on A. arenarius) and C. vicinella.
Traditional uses
The natural gum tragacanth is made from several species of Astragalus occurring in the Middle East, including A. adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx,[3][4] and A. tragacanthus. Also Astragalus propinquus (also known as Astragalus membranaceus) has a history of use as a herbal medicine and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.[5]
Research
The biotechnology firms Geron Corporation and TA Therapeutics of Hong Kong have been working on deriving a telomerase activator from it. The chemical constituent cycloastragenol (also called TAT2) is being studied to help combat HIV, as well as infections associated with chronic diseases or aging.[6] However, the National Institutes of Health states: "The evidence for using astragalus for any health condition is limited. High-quality clinical trials (studies in people) are generally lacking. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that astragalus, either alone or in combination with other herbs, may have potential benefits for the immune system, heart, and liver, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer".[7]
In a study published in the 15 November 2008 Journal of Immunology, researchers shed light on the antiviral and antiaging benefits of Astragalus. In their paper, a team of researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute described how their work with cycloastragenol reduces the aging process of immune cells, and enhances how these cells respond to viral infections. The compound works by boosting production of telomerase, an enzyme that allows for the replacement of short bits of DNA, known as telomeres, that play a key role in cell replication, cancer and human aging.[8]
Supplement use
Extracts of Astragalus membranaceus (syn. Astragalus propinquus) are marketed as life prolonging extracts in humans. A proprietary extract of the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus, called TA-65, 'was associated with a significant age-reversal effect in the immune system, in that it led to declines in the percentage of senescent cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells after six to twelve months of use.'[9] In October 2010, Intertek/AAC Labs, an ISO 17025 internationally recognized lab, found the largest component of TA-65 to be Cycloastragenol.[10] Telomerase activation was feared to pose an increased risk of cancer because telomere shortening is a mechanism that limits cell proliferation. However, short telomeres result in chromosome instability, hence there is also a potential mechanism for telomere lengthening to protect against cancer (as distinct from mutation-induced activation).[11]
Side effects
Astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide.[7] It may also affect blood sugar levels and blood pressure.[7] Some Astragalus species can be toxic. For example, several species that grow in the United States contain the neurotoxin swainsonine.[7]
Toxicology
The family of Astragalus has been reviewed by Rios and Waterman, indicating that the toxicities vary from one species to another.[12]
Ornamental use
Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers) and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.
Selected species
- This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
(See external references)
- Astragalus acutirostris – sharpkeel milkvetch
- Astragalus agnicidus – Humboldt County milkvetch
- Astragalus agrestis – field milkvetch, purple milkvetch, cock's-head
- Astragalus aitosensis
- Astragalus albens – Cushenbury milkvetch
- Astragalus albertii
- Astragalus alopecuroides
- Astragalus alpinus – alpine milkvetch, mountain locoweed
- Astragalus amphioxys – crescent milkvetch
- Astragalus ampullarioides – Shivwits milkvetch
- Astragalus andersonii – Anderson's milkvetch
- Astragalus angustifolius
- Astragalus anisus
- Astragalus annularis
- Astragalus anserinus – Goose Creek milkvetch
- Astragalus anxius – troubled milkvetch
- Astragalus applegatei – Applegate's milkvetch
- Astragalus arenarius
- Astragalus aristatus
- Astracantha arnacantha
- Astragalus asymmetricus – San Joaquin milkvetch
- Astragalus atratus – Owyhee mourning milkvetch
- Astragalus atropilosulus
- Astragalus austiniae – Austin's milkvetch
- Astragalus australis - Indian milkvetch
- Astragalus azizi
- Astragalus baionensis
- Astragalus balearicus – Balearic milkvetch
- Astragalus barrii – Barr's milkvetch
- Astragalus bernardinus – San Bernardino milkvetch
- Astragalus bibullatus – limestone-glade milkvetch
- Astragalus bicristatus – crested milkvetch, two-crested milkvetch
- Astragalus bidentatus
- Astragalus bisulcatus – two-groove milkvetch
- Astragalus boeticus
- Astragalus bolanderi – Bolander's milkvetch
- Astragalus brachycalyx
- Astragalus brauntonii – Braunton's milkvetch
- Astragalus breweri – Brewer's milkvetch
- Astragalus californicus – California milkvetch
- Astragalus canadensis – Canadian milkvetch
- Astragalus casei – Case's milkvetch
- Astragalus centralpinus
- Astragalus christianus
- Astragalus cicer – wild lentil, chickpea milkvetch
- Astragalus cimae – Cima milkvetch
- Astragalus clarianus syn. Astragalus claranus – Clara Hunt's milkvetch, Napa milkvetch
- Astragalus clevelandii – Cleveland's milkvetch
- Astragalus coccineus – scarlet milkvetch, scarlet locoweed
- Astragalus congdonii – Congdon's milkvetch
- Astragalus crassicarpus (caryocarpus) – ground plum, buffalo plum
- Astragalus cremnophylax – Sentry milkvetch
- Astragalus crotalariae – Salton milkvetch
- Astragalus curtipes – Morro milkvetch
- Astragalus danicus
- Astragalus deanei – Deane's milkvetch, Dean's milkvetch
- Astragalus debequaeus – Debeque milkvetch
- Astragalus depressus
- Astragalus desereticus – Deseret milkvetch
- Astragalus didymocarpus – two-seeded milkvetch, dwarf white milkvetch, white dwarf locoweed
- Astragalus douglasii – Douglas's milkvetch
- Astragalus echinus
- Astragalus eriocarpus
- Astragalus ertterae – Walker Pass milkvetch
- Astragalus exscapus
- Astragalus filipes – basalt milkvetch
- Astragalus frigidus – American milk-vetch, arctic milkvetch
- Astragalus fruticosus
- Astragalus funereus – Funeral Mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus galegiformis
- Astragalus gambelianus – Gambel's dwarf milkvetch, dwarf locoweed
- Astragalus gibbsii – Gibbs' milkvetch
- Astragalus gilmanii – Gilman's milkvetch
- Astragalus gilviflorus – plains milkvetch, Plains orophaca
- Astragalus glycyphyllos – wild liquorice, licorice milkvetch
- Astraglus gossypinus
- Astragalus gummifer
- Astragalus holmgreniorum – Holmgren locoweed
- Astragalus humillimus – Mancos milkvetch
- Astragalus hypoglottis – field milkvetch, purple milkvetch, cock's-head
- Astragalus hypoxylus - Huachuca Mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus illyricus – Illirian milkvetch
- Astragalus inversus – Susanville milkvetch
- Astragalus inyoensis – Inyo milkvetch
- Astragalus iselyi - Isely's milkvetch
- Astragalus jaegerianus – Lane Mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus johannis-howellii – Long Valley milkvetch
- Astragalus kentrophyta – spiny milkvetch
- Astragalus layneae – widow's milkvetch
- Astragalus lemmonii – Lemmon's milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiformis – lens pod milkvetch
- Astragalus lentiginosus – freckled milkvetch, mottled locoweed, speckled locoweed, spotted locoweed
- Astragalus leontinus
- Astragalus leptaleus
- Astragalus leucolobus – Bear Valley woollypod, Bear Valley milkvetch
- Astragalus linifolius - Grand Junction milkvetch
- Astragalus loanus - Glenwood milkvetch
- Astragalus lotoides
- Astragalus lusitanicus
- Astragalus malacus – shaggy milkvetch
- Astragalus massiliensis
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Astragalus microcymbus - Skiff milkvetch
- Astragalus miguelensis – San Miguel milkvetch
- Astragalus missouriensis – Missouri milkvetch
- Astragalus mohavensis – Mojave milkvetch
- Astragalus mollissimus - woolly locoweed, stemmed locoweed
- Astragalus molybdenus
- Astragalus monoensis – Mono milkvetch
- Astragalus monspessulanus
- Astragalus montii
- Astragalus mulfordiae - Mulford's milkvetch
- Astragalus naturitensis – Naturita milkvetch
- Astragalus nevinii – San Clemente Island milkvetch
- Astragalus newberryi – Newberry's milkvetch
- Astragalus nitidiflorus – Tallante's milkvetch
- Astragalus norvegicus
- Astragalus nutans – Providence Mountains milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallianus – small-flowered milkvetch
- Astragalus nuttallii – Nuttall's milkvetch
- Astragalus obscurus – arcane milkvetch
- Astragalus onobrychis
- Astragalus oocarpus – Descanso milkvetch, San Diego milkvetch
- Astragalus oophorus – egg milkvetch
- Astragalus osterhoutii – Osterhout milkvetch
- Astragalus oxyphysus – Mt. Diablo milkvetch, Diablo locoweed
- Astragalus pachypus – thickpod milkvetch
- Astragalus panamintensis – panamint milkvetch
- Astragalus pauperculus – depauperate milkvetch
- Astragalus penduliflorus
- Astragalus phoenix – Ash Meadows milkvetch
- Astragalus platytropis – broadkeel milkvetch
- Astragalus polycladus
- Astragalus pomonensis – Pomona milkvetch, Pomona locoweed
- Astragalus propinquus (syn. A. membranaceus) – huang qi
- Astragalus proximus
- Astragalus pseudiodanthus – Tonopah milkvetch
- Astragalus pulsiferae – Ames' milkvetch
- Astragalus purshii – Pursh's milkvetch, Woollypod milkvetch, woollypod locoweed
- Astragalus pycnostachyus – Marsh milkvetch
- Astragalus rattanii – Rattan's milkvetch
- Astragalus ripleyi
- Astragalus robbinsii – Robbins' milkvetch
- Astragalus sabulonum – gravel milkvetch
- Astragalus scaphoides – bitterroot milkvetch
- Astragalus sclerocarpus – sicklepod milkvetch
- Astragalus schmolliae - Schmoll milkvetch
- Astragalus sempervirens
- Astragalus shevockii – Shevock's milkvetch, Little Kern milkvetch
- Astragalus shinanensis
- Astragalus shiroumaensis
- Astragalus sinicus – Chinese milkvetch, zi yun ying ( 紫雲英 )
- Astragalus sinuatus - Whited's milkvetch
- Astragalus sirinicus
- Astragalus spatulatus – tufted milk-vetch, Draba milkvetch
- Astragalus speirocarpus – coilpod locoweed
- Astragalus spinosus – spiny milkvetch
- Astragalus subvestitus – Kern County milkvetch
- Astragalus tener – alkali milkvetch
- Astragalus tennesseensis – Tennessee milk vetch
- Astragalus tidestromii – Tidestrøm's milkvetch
- Astragalus traskiae – Trask's milkvetch
- Astragalus tricarinatus – triple-ribbed milkvetch
- Astragalus trichopodus – Santa Barbara milkvetch, coast locoweed, Southern California locoweed
- Astragalus tridactylus – foothill milkvetch
- Astragalus tragacanthus
- Astragalus tyghensis
- Astragalus umbraticus – Bald Mountain milkvetch
- Astragalus vesicarius
- Astragalus vogelii
- Astragalus webberi – Webber's milkvetch
- Astragalus wetherillii
- Astragalus whitneyi – balloon-pod milkvetch
- Astragalus zionis – Zion milkvetch
See also
Notes
References
- ^ David G. Frodin (2004). "History and concepts of big plant genera". Taxon 53 (3): 753–776. doi:10.2307/4135449.
- ^ Astragalus (Locoweed) flowers
- ^ http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Astragalus+adscendens
- ^ "Astragalus brachycalyx Fisch.". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) online database. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ^ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/astragalus-000223.htm
- ^ "Herbal chemical helps combat HIV". United Press International. January 1, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Astragalus, NCCAM
- ^ S. R. Fauce, et al. (2008). "Telomerase-Based Pharmacologic Enhancement of Antiviral Function of Human CD8+ T Lymphocytes". Journal of Immunology 181 (10): 7400–7406. PMC 2682219. PMID 18981163. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ Calvin B. Harley, Weimin Liu, Maria Blasco, Elsa Vera, William H. Andrews, Laura A. Briggs & Joseph M. Raffaele (2011). "A natural product telomerase activator as part of a health maintenance program". Rejuvenation Research 14 (1): 45–56. doi:10.1089/rej.2010.1085. PMC 3045570. PMID 20822369.
- ^ American Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Analysis Document #100710-236 of TA-65
- ^ Keiko Hiyama, Eiso Hiyama, Keiji Tanimoto & Masahiko Nishiyama (2009). "Role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer". In Keiko Hiyama. Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development II. Humana Press. pp. 171–180. doi:10.1007/978-1-60327-879-9_7. ISBN 978-1-60327-879-9.
- ^ Rios, J. L.; P. G. Waterman (1998). "A review of the pharmacology and toxicology of Astragalus". Phytotherapy Research 11 (6): 411–418. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199709)11:6<411::AID-PTR132>3.0.CO;2-6.
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Comments
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