Purple milk-vetch

Purple milk-vetch (Astragalus danicus) is found throughout Europe from the Alps to Russia, but in Britain it is mostly found on the eastern side of the country, from the Chilterns to Scotland. It is especially common in the Breckland area of Norfolk. 

The habitat of purple milk-vetch is chalk and limestone soils, and also sandy areas including dunes.

The “milk” element of the name comes from the old belief that eating the plant increased the milk yield of goats, although there is no real evidence to support this notion. The plant has no food value to humans.

Purple milk-vetch has upright stems and many leaflets that are covered with soft whitish hairs. The plant grows up to 14 inches (36 cms) high.

Several purplish flowers are carried on each stem, well above the leaves, the flowers looking at first sight like those of clover. Sepals are joined at the base in a tube covered with short blackish hairs. 

The plant flowers from May to July, after which seed pods form that contain six or seven seeds.

© John Welford