Alpine milk vetch, scientifically known as Astragalus alpinus, is a flowering perennial plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. This plant species is native to alpine and arctic regions, often found in high-altitude mountainous terrains.
The alpine milk vetch typically grows up to 30 centimeters in height and has delicate, clustered leaves with pinnate leaflets. It produces beautiful, small violet or purplish flowers that appear in dense clusters on long stalks during the summer months. The flowers exhibit a tubular shape with a banner, wings, and a keel, characteristic of plants in the pea family.
Considered a valuable forage plant, alpine milk vetch is known for its nitrogen-fixing ability, meaning it aids in enriching the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by other plants. It forms a symbiotic relationship with certain types of bacteria in its root nodules, which allows it to perform this beneficial function.
The plant is also popular in traditional medicine practices, as various cultures have used it to make herbal remedies. It is believed to possess medicinal properties, such as being anti-inflammatory and beneficial for digestive issues.
Due to its beauty and hardiness, alpine milk vetch is sometimes cultivated in alpine gardens or rock gardens for ornamental purposes. It is admired for its ability to thrive in harsh and rocky environments, adding a touch of color to otherwise desolate landscapes.
