Astragalus is a large genus of about 3,000 species of
herbs and small
shrubs, belonging to the
legume family
Fabaceae and the
subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. The genus is native to temperate regions of the
Northern Hemisphere. Common names include
milkvetch (most species),
locoweed (in North America, some species) and
goat's-thorn (
A. gummifer,
A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered
vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more
vine-like.