Astragalus cicer* (Cicer milkvetch)
Medium, long-lived perennial; spreading rhizomatous growth habit. Often used in hay and pasture with similar yields to alfalfa, although can be useful for reclamation and erosion control. Slow to establish, but competitive in mixes over time; persists under grazing. Fair drought tolerance, cold hardy, poor acid tolerance.
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Fabaceae
Duration: Perennial, medium lived
Growth Habit: Forb
Native Status: Introduced
Growth Form: Rhizomatous
Mature Height: 12-36 in.
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Period: Early Summer
Annual Precipitation: 16-60 in.
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Shade Tolerance: None
Fire Resistance: Yes
Fire Tolerance: High
Nitrogen fixation: High
Bloat: Non-bloat
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: No
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: Yes
Salinity Tolerance: Medium
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
pH Range: 6.0-8.5
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 125,000
Seeding Rate: 20-25 lbs/acre
Season: Spring/Fall
Days to Germination: 10-14
VARIETIES
Oxley - First cultivar of Cicer milkvetch to be released in Canada. Adapted to a wide range of soil textures but performs best on coarse textured soils. A very cold hardy, rhizomatous, fine stemmed cultivar that is persistent and remains green longer in the fall. (Released 1971, source of ecotype: former USSR)Source Identified selection out of Sherman/Gillman, OR counties.
Lutana - A very hardy, frost resistant cultivar which is well-adapted to high elevation sites. It is rhizomatous and is frequently used in reclamation seed mixtures. (Released 1970, source of ecotype: Sweden)
Monarch - Developed for its strong seedling emergence, quick establishment and forage yielding characteristics. It is cold hardy and well adapted to the northern and central Great Plains. (Released 1980, source of ecotype: synthetic clone)