Park milkvetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Park milkvetch |
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The Park Milkvetch (scientific name: Astragalus leptaleus) is a pretty flowering plant. It belongs to the legume family, which includes peas and beans! You can find this plant growing naturally in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. It lives in states like Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
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What is Park Milkvetch?
The Park Milkvetch is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a main root that goes deep into the ground, called a taproot. It also has underground stems that spread out, helping the plant form a mat on the ground. Its stems can grow up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long.
Leaves and Flowers
Each leaf on the Park Milkvetch is made up of many smaller leaflets, sometimes as many as 27! When the plant blooms, it has cream-white flowers. These flowers have a cool purple spot near the tip of their lowest petal, which is called the keel. The flowers are surrounded by small leaf-like parts called sepals, which are covered in tiny black hairs.
Fruits
After the flowers bloom, they turn into a fruit called a legume pod. This pod can be up to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. It's covered in both black and white hairs. You can usually see the Park Milkvetch blooming from June through August.
Where Park Milkvetch Lives
This plant loves wet places! It often grows in wetlands, especially along the banks of streams. You might find it growing near willow trees, like Salix geyeriana.
Its Special Home
The Park Milkvetch often lives in a special area called an ecotone. This is a place where two different habitats meet. For this plant, it's where wet river areas meet drier land.
Plant Neighbors
Many other plants grow alongside the Park Milkvetch. Some common ones include Poa pratensis, Juncus balticus, and Sisyrinchium idahoense. Sometimes, it even grows near other rare plants like Astragalus diversifolius and Primula alcalina.
Protecting the Park Milkvetch
The Park Milkvetch faces some challenges that can harm its habitats.
Habitat Changes
One big problem is when its natural home changes. For example, some wet meadows where it grows are turned into fields for hay. This takes away the plant's living space.
Other Dangers
Other things that can threaten the Park Milkvetch include:
- Grazing animals: Too many farm animals eating the plants can be a problem.
- Off-road vehicles: Vehicles like ATVs can damage the plants and their soil.
- New plants: Sometimes, plants from other places are brought in and can take over the space where the Park Milkvetch grows.
