Alpine Milkvetch
Astragalus alpinus
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Austria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuril Is., Labrador, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Jörg Hempel
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Astragalus
- Species:
- Astragalus alpinus
- USDA Symbol:
- ASAL7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, white, blue
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hecla sulphur (Colias hecla), Idas blue (Lycaeides idas), Mead's Sulphur (Colias meadii), Mountain Clouded Yellow (Colias nastes), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Queen Alexandra's Sulphur (Colias alexandra)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seed coat scarification improves germination rates. Cold stratification mimics natural winter conditions required for spring germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Resents transplanting. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. * put in deep pot; protect from damping off