Thickpod milkvetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astragalus pachypus |
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Astragalus pachypus, often called the thickpod milkvetch, is a unique plant. It belongs to a group of plants known as milkvetch. This plant is special because it only grows in California, USA. You can find it in many open areas across the southern part of the state.
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What is Thickpod Milkvetch?
The thickpod milkvetch is a strong plant that lives for many years. It grows in clumps with tough, flexible stems. These stems can reach up to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) tall. This makes it a noticeable plant in its natural home.
Where Does it Grow?
This plant is endemic to California. This means it naturally grows only in California and nowhere else in the world. It likes open spaces and can be found in different types of habitats. These include grasslands, chaparral, and other sunny areas.
What Does it Look Like?
The thickpod milkvetch has distinct features that help identify it. Its leaves, flowers, and fruits are all quite unique.
Stems and Leaves
The stems of the thickpod milkvetch are wiry and strong. They help the plant stand tall. Its leaves can grow up to about 16 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. Each leaf is made up of many smaller, narrow leaflets. These leaflets give the plant a delicate, feathery look.
Flowers and Fruits
The plant produces flowers in clusters called inflorescences. Each cluster can have between 4 and 28 cream-colored flowers. These flowers add a soft color to the plant. After the flowers, the plant grows interesting fruits. These fruits are legume pods, similar to pea pods. They are about 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long and have a sharp, pointed tip. When they dry, they become leathery and mostly smooth.
Different Types of Thickpod Milkvetch
There are two main types, or varieties, of Astragalus pachypus. One of these is quite rare.
The more common type is simply Astragalus pachypus var. pachypus. The rarer type is called Jaeger's bush milkvetch, or var. jaegeri. This special variety is mostly found in the western part of Riverside County. Scientists study these different varieties to understand plant diversity.
