Shaggy milkvetch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Astragalus malacus
Scientific classification

Astragalus malacus is a type of plant known as a milkvetch. Its common name is shaggy milkvetch because it has many long, white hairs. This plant grows naturally in the Great Basin area of the western United States.

What is Shaggy Milkvetch?

The shaggy milkvetch (Astragalus malacus) is a plant that lives for many years. It grows straight up and can reach about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

• Its leaves can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long.
• Each leaf is made up of many smaller, oval-shaped parts called leaflets.
• The plant produces a cluster of flowers, which is called an inflorescence.
• This cluster can have up to 35 bright pink or purplish-red (magenta) flowers.
• Each flower is about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long.

Hairy Parts and Fruit

• The stem, leaves, flower clusters, and the green parts that protect the flower buds (called sepals) are all covered in long, white hairs. This is why it's called "shaggy."
• After the flowers bloom, the plant grows a fruit. This fruit is a dry pod, like a pea pod, and is called a legume.
• The legume pod is also very hairy and feels like paper. It can grow up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long.

Where Does Shaggy Milkvetch Grow?

This plant is native to the Great Basin region. This area includes parts of several western U.S. states. You can find shaggy milkvetch growing in:

• Idaho
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Desert areas of California