Astragalus clarianus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astragalus clarianus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Astragalus
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| Species: |
clarianus
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Astragalus clarianus (also called A. claranus) is a very rare type of milkvetch. It's known by common names like Clara Hunt's milkvetch and Napa milkvetch. This plant grows only in northern California. You can find it in just a few spots near the border of Sonoma and Napa Counties. It is listed as an endangered species by the government. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever.
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What is Clara Hunt's Milkvetch?
This plant is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all in one year. It has thin stems covered in tiny, rough hairs. The plant can grow up to about 12 centimeters (almost 5 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The small leaves are made up of a few pairs of oval-shaped smaller leaves called leaflets. The plant's inflorescence (which is a group of flowers on a stem) is a small cluster. This cluster usually has two to seven flowers. Each flower is about 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) long. They have white petals with bright, deep purple tips.
Fruit and Name
After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a papery legume pod. It is about 2 centimeters (almost an inch) long. The pod is narrow at both ends and has a hairy feel. It also has a sharp, beak-like tip at one end. The plant was named after Clara Adele Pike Blodgett Hunt. She was a schoolteacher and a hobby botanist from California.
Why is Clara Hunt's Milkvetch Rare?
This rare plant faces several challenges that make it hard for it to survive. These threats include:
- Invasive Plants: Other plants that are not native to the area can grow quickly and take over the space. They can also use up the water and nutrients that the milkvetch needs.
- Building and Development: New buildings and towns are being built where the plant naturally grows. This takes away its habitat.
- Vineyards: Many vineyards (places where grapes are grown) are being created in its habitat. This also reduces the areas where the milkvetch can live.
- Grazing and Trampling: Animals eating the plants or people walking on them can harm the milkvetch.
- Water Changes: Changes in how water flows or is used in the area can affect the plant.
- Recreation: Outdoor activities can sometimes disturb the plant's habitat.
- Road and Airport Work: Maintenance work on roads and airports can also damage the areas where this plant grows.
See also
In Spanish: Astragalus clarianus para niños
