Sentier écologique des Astragales - Ville-Vieille

With its yellow and brown flowers in elongated clusters and its leaves with tight, oblong leaflets, Astragalus centralpinus is emblematic of the Queyras. A rare plant protected nationally, it is very common in the region. Growing in the moors and the steppe grasslands of south-facing slopes, this astragalus often grows along with barberry and savin juniper.

Characterized by its thorns arranged in threes, this shrub is very common in the mountains. Formerly also growing on the plains, it was destroyed because it was said to carry a disease called stem rust, which affects cereals. The bark of its root and wood was used to dye fabric and leather in yellow.

Its tangy and edible fruits can be used as a spice to flavor dishes or prepare jellies, jams and syrups. A Swiss doctor called Alfred Vogel described them as “an amazing tonic for nerves” and recommended them to his hypernervous patients and people lacking vitamin C. Other authors consider its fruit excellent to clear the body of toxins through its action on the liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas.

Present throughout Europe, Asia and most of the African continent, this migratory bird lives in Queyras from May to August. It prefers open environments and often lives in thorny bushes between 1m and 3m high. Waiting on a prominent perch, it spots its prey (insects, lizards and small birds) before swooping down on them. The red-backed shrike eats smaller prey immediately but impales bigger ones on the thorns of a hawthorn, a blackthorn or even on barb wire... These pantries are called ‘larders.’

Many virtues are attributed to this plant. Legend says that anyone who eats one juniper berry every day will be preserved from all illnesses. It can be inhaled as a bronchial antiseptic, burnt to clean the air or to bathe in to fight arthritis and chronic skin conditions. Considered a powerful diuretic, it is ideal with sauerkraut as it facilitates digestion. Juniper berries can also be used to season terrines, marinated fish and game. They are used to make certain alcohols such as gin, certain types of beer and traditional liqueurs.

Once used by shipwrights, today it is used to make paper and plywood or for carpentry. Its resin is said to soothe bruises, frostbite and rheumatism. Scots pine essential oil is also used to treat various infections and ailments such as anxiety, nervousness, stress, but also asthma or fatigue.

Growing in sunny valleys exposed to the foehn, savin juniper differs from other Juniperus by its soft foliage. Like other junipers, savin juniper has many benefits, notably its hard and finely grained wood, which is highly appreciated in cabinetmaking, carving, marquetry and woodworking. Its wood is used to make walking sticks, knife handles or different tools, pipe stems, etc. Rot-resistant, it is also ideal for making poles or water pipes. But beware: contrary to common juniper, its berries are toxic and its leaves can irritate the skin.