Broadkeel milkvetch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Broadkeel milkvetch
Astragalus platytropis flowers early during the summer in higher elevations.
Scientific classification
Genus:	Astragalus
Species:	platytropis

Astragalus platytropis is a type of plant called a milkvetch. Its common name is broadkeel milkvetch. You can find it in the western United States, from Montana all the way to California.

This plant loves to grow in high places, like mountains. It lives in alpine and subalpine areas. These are cold, high-up places where special plants grow.

The broadkeel milkvetch is a small plant. It grows in little patches on rocky ground. Its stems are short and look silvery-green.

Its leaves can be up to 9 centimeters long. They are made of several small, hairy parts. The plant has pale purple flowers. There are usually four to nine flowers in a bunch. Each flower is less than 1 centimeter long.

After flowering, it grows a fruit. This fruit is a puffy pod, like a small balloon. It can be longer than 3 centimeters.

Discovering the Broadkeel Milkvetch

The broadkeel milkvetch is a fascinating plant. It is known by its scientific name, Astragalus platytropis. This plant is a type of milkvetch. Milkvetch plants are part of the pea family.

Where Does It Grow?

This plant is native to the western parts of the United States. You can find it in states like Montana and California. It prefers to live in high places. These areas are often called alpine or subalpine regions.

These high-up places have a special climate. They are usually cold and rocky. Only certain plants can grow well there. The broadkeel milkvetch is one of these tough plants.

What Does It Look Like?

The broadkeel milkvetch is a small plant. It grows close to the ground. It forms little patches on rocky soil. The stems are short and have a silvery-green color.

The leaves of this plant can grow up to 9 centimeters long. Each leaf is made up of several smaller parts. These smaller parts are called leaflets. The leaflets are often covered in fine hairs.

Flowers and Fruits

The broadkeel milkvetch produces beautiful flowers. These flowers are a pale purple color. They grow in a cluster, like a small bouquet. Each cluster usually has four to nine flowers.

Each individual flower is quite small. It is just under 1 centimeter long. These flowers bloom early in the summer. They add a touch of color to the high mountain landscapes.

After the flowers, the plant grows a fruit. This fruit is a type of pod. It looks like a small, puffy balloon. These pods can grow to be more than 3 centimeters long. They hold the seeds of the plant.