Congdon's milkvetch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Congdon's milkvetch
Scientific classification
Genus:	Astragalus
Species:	congdonii

The Congdon's milkvetch (scientific name: Astragalus congdonii) is a special type of plant called a milkvetch. It's known for its unique look and where it grows.

What Does Congdon's Milkvetch Look Like?

This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It's quite hairy and can grow to be between 20 and 70 centimeters tall. That's about the height of a small dog!

Leaves and Flowers

• Its leaves are not very dense. They can be up to 14 centimeters long.
• Each leaf has several pairs of small, oval-shaped leaflets.
• The plant produces large, open groups of flowers called an inflorescence.
• You can find up to 35 cream-colored flowers in each group.
• Each flower is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters long.

Fruit Pods

• After the flowers, the plant grows a fruit that looks like a narrow pod. This is called a legume pod.
• These pods can be up to 3.5 centimeters long.
• When they dry, they feel thick and papery.

Where Does Congdon's Milkvetch Grow?

Congdon's milkvetch is a very special plant because it is endemic to a specific area. This means it only grows naturally in one place in the world!

Its Home in California

• This plant is found only in the Sierra Nevada foothills of central California.
• The Sierra Nevada foothills are the lower hills leading up to the big Sierra Nevada mountains.
• It's important to protect plants like this because they are unique to their home.