Triplerib milkvetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Triplerib milkvetch |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Astragalus
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| Species: |
tricarinatus
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The Astragalus tricarinatus is a very rare plant. It is a type of milkvetch and is often called the triplerib milkvetch or triple-ribbed milkvetch.
This special plant only grows in California, in the area where the San Bernardino Mountains meet the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. It likes to grow in desert areas with rocky ground, often near Joshua trees. This plant is so rare that in 1998, only about twenty of them were left in the wild. Because of this, it was listed as an endangered species, meaning it is protected by law to help it survive.
What Does the Triplerib Milkvetch Look Like?
The triplerib milkvetch is a plant that lives for many years. It grows in small groups and can reach about 25 centimeters (10 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves can be up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. They are made up of several small, silvery-green leaflets that feel a bit hairy. The plant produces clusters of 5 to 15 cream-colored flowers. Each flower is about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long.
Fruit Pods
After the flowers bloom, the plant grows a flat legume pod. This pod can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. The pod is curved and has three clear ridges or "ribs" on it, which is how the plant gets its name, "triplerib."
