Necklacepod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Necklacepod |
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S. tomentosa
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The Necklacepod (scientific name: Sophora tomentosa) is a cool plant that grows as a bush or a small tree. People also call it the yellow necklacepod or sometimes the silver bush. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, which is also known as the pea or bean family.
This plant gets its name "Necklacepod" because of its unique seed pods. After its bright yellow flowers bloom, they turn into long strings of seeds that look a lot like a necklace!
About the Necklacepod Plant
The Necklacepod usually grows to be about 4 to 10 feet tall. You can often find it growing near the coast or in wet areas like swamps. It loves warm places around the world, which is why it's called a "pantropical" plant. This means it grows in tropical regions on almost every continent.
Where Necklacepods Grow
Necklacepods are found in many warm parts of the world. In the United States, they naturally grow along the coasts of central and southern Florida. You can also find similar types of Necklacepods in Texas and across the Caribbean islands.
A different kind of Necklacepod grows in Australia. Sadly, in some parts of Australia, this plant is considered an endangered species. This means there aren't many left in the wild. This is often because their coastal homes are being cleared away. Also, other plants that aren't native to the area can sometimes take over their space.
In Sri Lanka, an island country, people call this plant Moodu Murunga.
Why Necklacepods Are Important
Necklacepods are very helpful to many animals. Their flowers produce sweet nectar that bees and butterflies love to drink. In some parts of the Americas, even tiny hummingbirds visit these plants for their nectar!
People who love native plants in Florida often suggest using Necklacepods in gardens. They are great for a type of gardening called xeriscaping. This is a way of gardening that uses plants which don't need a lot of water, helping to save water.
The pods of the Necklacepod are not safe to eat. However, in some places, like parts of Africa, people have traditionally used parts of the plant for different purposes. For example, they have used it to help keep insects and spiders away.
