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The Astragalus plant is native to China and has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb to enhance and sustain the immune system. It is the root of the plant which is of medicinal importance and may be administered in teas, soups, and extracts.
Description
Astragalus is a perennial plant which may grow 16-36 inches in height. The stems are hairy in appearance with 12 - 18 pairs of leaflets on each leaf. The plant has an assortment of colors in its flowering stage. The root is harvested from the 4 year old plants to be used as a medicinal herb.
Distribution
Astragalus is found across the continental U.S. and is usually found in arid regions with a fair amount of direct sunlight. Its habitat is near areas of sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodland. The elevation range for Astragalus is 2,000 feet to greater than 8,000 feet.
Ecology
Astragalus is a plant which thrives in a cold/hot, arid to semi-arid region, where the soil is poor or high in salinity. The plant often has long tap roots which can find deep soil water.