Acmispon maritimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acmispon maritimus |
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Acmispon maritimus, also known as the coastal bird's-foot trefoil, is a type of legume. It is a plant that grows naturally in Arizona, California, and northwestern Mexico. Even though its common name includes "coastal," it can be found in many places. These include mountains, deserts, and scrublands, not just near the ocean.
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What is Coastal Bird's-Foot Trefoil?
The coastal bird's-foot trefoil is an annual plant. This means it completes its entire life cycle in one year. It grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies.
How Does it Look?
This plant can look very different depending on where it grows. Some plants are small, while others are bushy. They can be smooth or have rough hairs. Some grow flat on the ground, and others stand straight up.
- Stems: The plant has thin stems.
- Leaves: Its leaves are made of smaller pairs of leaflets. These leaflets can also change in shape and size.
- Flowers: The plant produces small groups of 1 to 4 yellow flowers. Each flower is about one centimeter long. The bright yellow part of the flower, called the corolla, comes out of a tube-shaped part called the calyx. The calyx is made of small leaf-like parts called sepals.
- Fruit: After flowering, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a legume pod, which can be up to 3 centimeters long.
Where Does it Grow?
This plant is found in different types of environments. It grows in places like mountains, deserts, and scrub areas. It is often found in areas that have wildfires, such as chaparral. Chaparral is a type of shrubland common in California.
How Does it Survive Wildfires?
Scientists have studied the coastal bird's-foot trefoil. They found something amazing about its seeds. When the seeds are exposed to heat, like from a wildfire, they are more likely to sprout. This helps the plant survive and grow again after a fire. It's a special way the plant adapts to its environment.
Images for kids
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Coastal bird's-foot trefoil plant
