Astragalus hamosus aka Yellow Milk Vetch

Astragalus hamosus, or European milkvetch, belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range spans Macaronesia and the Mediterranean region. It reaches east into Central Asia and Pakistan. Kew lists it as an annual or biennial of subtropical regions. Plants For A Future describes it as an annual. It grows in dry grassland and semidesert foothills. Its habitats also extend into lower mountain areas. Wild plants occur on clay, loess, sand and rocky debris.

In cultivation, plants reach about 2 feet (0.6 metres) tall. They spread about 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) across. Flowers appear from May to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees, moths and butterflies pollinate the flowers. Seeds ripen from July to September. The young pods have a wormlike shape. This gives them a curious role as a novelty food.

Grow this species in full sun with good drainage. It needs dry soil and cannot grow in shade. Sandy and loamy soils suit it in cultivation. It accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. Plants For A Future reports successful growth in Cornwall. The roots dislike disturbance, so sowing in place is best. For greenhouse sowing, the source suggests starting in late winter. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Germination takes about three to six weeks at 55°F (13°C).

Root nodules house bacteria that fix nitrogen from the air. The plant uses some of this nitrogen as it grows. Nearby plants can also gain from this partnership. Leave roots in the soil when clearing spent plants. As the roots decay, they release their stored nitrogen. Cultivated beds are a listed garden setting for this species. Its nitrogen-fixing role adds value beyond its unusual pods. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy.

Young pods can be cooked or added to salads. Pick them young, since they soon turn tough and fibrous. Their flavour earns little praise in the source. Plants For A Future gives edibility one out of five. It also records medicinal uses, rated two out of five. These include soothing irritated tissues, softening skin and relieving constipation. The source also lists use to promote milk production. These reported uses do not establish safety or proven benefit. The supplied evidence does not establish this species' toxicity.