Wild liquorice, Milk Wetch
Astragalus glycyphyllus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows to 30 cm to 1 m tall and wide. The stem lies along the ground and is woolly. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 20 cm long with 9-13 oval leaflets. The flowers are bell shaped and cream. They are in dense long clusters. The fruit are pointed capsules. These are cylinder shaped and slightly curved.

There are 2,000 Astragalus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on chalky soils. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 4-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Australia, Britain, Czech Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), Italy, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The liquorice flavoured leaves are eaten. They are also used for tea. The seeds are ground into a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Sgrizia

Synonyms

Several