as medications used by people being treated for cancer or recovery from organ transplants. Some astragalus species can be toxic, such as those found in the United States containing the neurotoxin swainsonine, which causes "locoweed" poisoning in animals. Some astragalus species may contain high levels of selenium, possibly causing toxicity. Ornamental use Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers), and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Notes References External links Astragalus — Genus of vascular plants Astragalus – Clinical summary and constituents, MSKCC Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Dietary supplements Fabaceae genera Forages Medicinal plants Plants used in traditional Chinese medicine Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus