Our specimen of study is Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii. The plant is commonly known as Ocean Bluff Milkvetch and is found on the California coast (Calflora, n.d.). It is a perennial plant that blooms year-round (“Astragalus Nuttallii, Nuttall's Milkvetch,” n.d.). The specimen we studied was collected in Big Sur, California by Anthony Baniaga, who likely pulled the specimen near the ocean and identified it using the Jepson Manual (Baniaga, 2021; Calflora, n.d.). He may have been the specimen’s sole collector because the collection date – November 6, 2021 – was during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to this specimen, we examined a live Hardenbergia violacea plant – a member of the Fabaceae family – in the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. Hamza Yusuf Mojadidi collected five items from this plant on February 4th, 2022 at 12:04 pm. Hardenbergia violacea is native to Australia (“Hardenbergia violacea - (Schneev.) Stearn,” n.d.). Lastly, we studied a specimen in the materia medica. Astragalus menziesii is an alternative name for Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii (Calflora, n.d.). A. Menzies collected the Astragalus menziesii A.Gray specimen in 1867 in California (Menzies, 1867). This is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, image we could find of an Astragalus specimen in the Golden State. We hypothesize that 1867 was one of the earliest years on record of a California-based Astragalus specimen due to the addition of California to the United States and the resulting influx of people into the region.
Hardenbergia violacea and Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii leaves are used in homeopathic treatments aimed at body rejuvenation. Homeopathy is a body of medicine that believes in the efficacy of diluted therapies made from materials which trigger reactions in people who do not have an ailment resembling those in people with an ailment, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2021). For example, therapies containing Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii leaves can alleviate fatigue and fainting (“Astragalus menziesii- astragalus nuttallii leaf liquid,” 2018; “Astragalus menziesii- astragalus nuttallii leaf pellet,” 2020). In 2015, researchers discovered Astragalus roots bolster the immune responses of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a condition that causes difficulties breathing (Jiang et al., 2015; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Astragalus roots can also treat cancer, anemia, heart disease, colds, and diabetes due to “immunologically active” compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, and astragalosides II and IV (Mount Sinai, n.d.; Hong et al., 2011, 6-7). Meanwhile, the leaves and flowers of Hardenbergia violacea can heal mouth ulcers and chest pain (Koori Bush Tucker Garden, n.d.).
The Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii appears well-adapted to its habitat. There are three features of the plant that demonstrate this. First, Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii flowers are small and round. The flowers' size is likely due to the plant’s preference for smaller pollinators like bees. The flowers are also a combination of purple, dark yellow, and white – all of which are significantly duller than the bright purple of Hardenbergia violacea flowers. We predict the dullness may be an evolutionary response to Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii’s habitat. The California coast could have more animals with a preference for preying on plants compared to Australia. Plants with less conspicuous flowers could avoid being eaten. Second, the plant's offshoots are covered on both sides by leaves. This is known as a compound leaf (“Astragalus Nuttallii, Nuttall's Milkvetch,” n.d.). Each sub-leaf is light green, smooth, and veinless. Smaller and more abundant leaves may allow the plant to maximize energy absorption in an environment with cloud coverage. Lastly, Astragalus nuttallii var. nuttallii has skinny, supple branches. Strong gusts from the Pacific Ocean mean the plant lives in windy conditions. Thin branches enable the plant to sway back and forth as opposed to thicker branches or stems, thus spreading seeds or pollen.WORKS CITED
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