milk vetch

Thân thiện

A farmer checks the purple flowers of a milk vetch in a sunny field.

Definition

Noun: 1. A plant of the genus Astragalus: Any of numerous, often low-growing, flowering plants belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae). They are characterized by typically having compound leaves and pea-like flowers, and many species are found in dry or mountainous regions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The rocky hillside was dotted with purple-flowered milk vetch.
  • Several species of milk vetch are important forage plants for livestock.
  • Botanists are studying a rare milk vetch found only in this valley.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological Role: Many milk vetch species are nitrogen-fixers, improving soil quality.
• Toxicity Note: Some species, like the locoweeds, are known to be poisonous to animals if consumed in large quantities.

Variants and Related Words

• Astragalus (n): The scientific genus name for milk vetch plants.
• Locoweed (n): A common name for certain toxic species of milk vetch that can cause neurological disease ("locoism") in livestock.

Synonyms

• Astragalus (when used as a common name)
• Goat's-thorn (a name for some species)

Notes on Meaning

The term "milk vetch" refers specifically to plants within the Astragalus genus. It is a broad common name and does not refer to a single plant but to a large group with varying characteristics. Some are beneficial, while others are problematic for agriculture.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Astragalus

Từ đồng nghĩa

• milk-vetch