Astragalus pseudiodanthus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astragalus pseudiodanthus |
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The Tonopah Milkvetch (Astragalus pseudiodanthus) is a special type of plant. It belongs to a group of plants called milkvetch. This plant gets its common name from the Tonopah area in Nevada.
You can find the Tonopah Milkvetch growing in the sandy parts of the Great Basin desert. This desert stretches across Nevada and eastern California. It loves to grow in sandy soil.
This plant is named because it looks a lot like another plant called Astragalus iodanthus. Sometimes, people even think it's just a different kind of that plant.
What Does the Tonopah Milkvetch Look Like?
The Tonopah Milkvetch is a small plant that grows close to the ground. It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It forms a mat on the sand.
Stems and Leaves
This plant has several stems that grow from a base hidden under the sand. Its leaves can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. Each leaf is made up of many small leaflets that are packed closely together.
Flowers and Fruit
The Tonopah Milkvetch produces beautiful reddish-purple flowers. These flowers grow in a tight cluster, which is called an inflorescence.
After the flowers, the plant grows a fruit called a legume pod. This pod can be about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. When the pod is new, it feels soft and fleshy. As it gets older, it dries out and becomes leathery.
