Huachuca milkvetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huachuca milkvetch |
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The Huachuca milkvetch (Astragalus hypoxylus) is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the legume family, like peas and beans. This special plant grows only in Arizona, United States. You can find it in just a few spots. These are the Patagonia Mountains and Huachuca Mountains. There are only three known groups of these plants left.
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Discovering the Huachuca Milkvetch
This plant is quite small. It grows as a low patch on the ground. It usually spreads about 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide. It stands only 3 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.5 inches) tall. The plant grows from a strong taproot that goes deep into the soil.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Huachuca milkvetch are arranged in an alternating pattern. Each leaf has several pairs of small, gray-green leaflets. These tiny leaflets are only a few millimeters long.
The plant produces small flower clusters. Each cluster is about 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) wide. The flowers themselves are tiny and white. They often have pretty purple tips.
Blooming and Pollination
The Huachuca milkvetch flowers bloom in April and May. Tiny bees help to pollinate these flowers. Some of these bees belong to the Anthophora, Bombus, and Osmia groups. After the flowers are pollinated, they form fruit. The fruit is a yellow and purple legume pod. It is also about 1 centimeter long.
This Astragalus plant looks very different from other species in its family. It was once placed in its own special group. This shows how unique it is!
Where the Huachuca Milkvetch Lives
This rare plant grows in special woodland areas. These woodlands are home to certain types of trees. You can find Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) and Mexican blue oak (Q. oblongifolia). There are also alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) and Mexican pinyon (Pinus discolor).
The soil where it grows is also very specific. It is usually gravelly. This soil is rich in limestone and metamorphic rock. These conditions are just right for the Huachuca milkvetch to thrive.
