Foothill deervetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Foothill deervetch |
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Foothill deervetch (scientific name: Acmispon brachycarpus) is a cool plant found in western North America. It used to be called Lotus humistratus. This plant is a type of legume, which means it belongs to the pea family. Think of peas, beans, or clover – they are all legumes!
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What is Foothill Deervetch?
Foothill deervetch is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It can grow in different ways. Sometimes it stands up straight, and other times it spreads out like a mat on the ground.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is native to a large area in western North America. You can find it from Idaho all the way down to Texas and even into northern Mexico. It's quite adaptable! Foothill deervetch grows in many different types of places, from dry hillsides to open fields.
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of the foothill deervetch are interesting. Each leaf usually has four small leaflets. These leaflets are often hairy and feel a bit fleshy. They are quite tiny, usually less than 1 centimeter (about half an inch) long.
Its Flowers and Fruits
If you look closely, you'll see pretty yellow flowers on the foothill deervetch. These flowers look a lot like tiny peas. They grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a legume pod, just like a pea pod! The pods can vary in size and shape.
