Sentry milkvetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sentry milkvetch |
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| var. cremnophylax | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Astragalus
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| Species: |
cremnophylax
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Astragalus cremnophylax, also known as the sentry milkvetch or cliff milkvetch, is a very rare plant. It is a type of milkvetch, which is a large group of flowering plants in the pea family. This special plant only grows in Arizona, USA.
There are three different types, or varieties, of this plant. Each variety lives in its own specific place in Arizona. The rarest type, called var. cremnophylax, is listed as an endangered species by the government. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever. This particular variety grows only on the edge of the amazing Grand Canyon. The other two varieties are found in the Buckskin Mountains and Marble Canyon.
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Where Sentry Milkvetch Lives
This plant makes its home on a type of rock called Kaibab Limestone. It grows in tiny cracks in the bare, white rock. Imagine a very dry, sunny, and windy place – that's where it thrives!
A Tough Place to Grow
The ground where it lives is like a flat, exposed rock pavement. It gets full sun all day and strong, dry winds. The plant manages to grow in small rock cracks that might have only a few centimeters of soil, or sometimes no soil at all. These cracks can collect a tiny bit of moisture when it rains. Sometimes, you can find this plant growing next to another tough plant called Petrophytum caespitosum, which likes similar rocky spots.
Protecting the Plant
The rarest variety, var. cremnophylax, faced a big problem. Its small groups of plants were in danger because tourists visiting the Grand Canyon would accidentally step on them. This was a serious threat to the plant's survival.
How We Help Sentry Milkvetch
To protect this special plant, fences have been put up in important areas around the Grand Canyon. These fences help keep people from accidentally walking on the plants, giving them a better chance to grow and survive. This effort helps make sure the sentry milkvetch can continue to live in its unique home.
Different Types of Sentry Milkvetch
There are three main varieties of Astragalus cremnophylax. Each one is named differently and found in a specific location:
- A. cremnophylax var. cremnophylax - Found at the Grand Canyon
- A. cremnophylax var. myriorrhaphis - Found in the Buckskin Mountains
- A. cremnophylax var. hevronii - Found in Marble Canyon
Images for kids
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Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax
See also
In Spanish: Astragalus cremnophylax para niños
