Siberian peashrub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caragana arborescens |
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| Shelter break of Caragana arborescens | |
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Caragana
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Caragana
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C. arborescens
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| Caragana arborescens |
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The Siberian peashrub (scientific name: Caragana arborescens) is a tough plant that grows like a big bush or a small tree. It is also called the Siberian pea-tree or just caragana. This plant comes from cold places like Siberia and parts of China (Heilongjiang, Xinjiang), along with nearby Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Long ago, people brought the Siberian peashrub to the United States and Canada. Immigrants used its seeds as food when they traveled west. In some areas of the United States, it can grow so well that it is considered an invasive species, meaning it spreads too much. However, in Canada, it was planted in the 1880s to create windbreaks and help the soil. It also provides homes for wildlife and helps the soil stay healthy.
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What Does the Siberian Peashrub Look Like?
The Siberian peashrub is a perennial plant, which means it lives for many years. It can grow from about 2 to 6 meters (6 to 20 feet) tall. This plant usually grows at a moderate to fast speed. It can grow one to three feet taller in its first year after being trimmed.
The leaves of the peashrub can be light green or dark green. They are arranged alternately on the stem and are compound, meaning each leaf has many small leaflets. Bright yellow, sweet-smelling flowers bloom in May or June. The fruits are pods called legumes, which hold many seeds. These pods ripen in July. As the seed pods dry out, they often twist and pop open, sending their seeds flying.
How Do People Use the Siberian Peashrub?
The Siberian peashrub is a very useful plant. People grow Caragana arborescens as an ornamental plant because it looks nice in gardens. It can even be shaped into a bonsai tree. This plant has a large root system, which makes it great for erosion control. This means its roots help hold the soil in place, stopping it from washing away. The fragrant flowers also attract many bees, which helps with pollination.
Can You Eat the Siberian Peashrub?
Yes, the seeds of the Siberian peashrub are edible, but you should cook them before eating them. The plant contains a natural substance called L-canavanine. While this sounds complicated, there have been no confirmed cases of people getting sick from eating the seeds. The flowers are also edible and can be added to salads for a splash of color and a unique taste.
How Does It Help the Environment?
Farmers often plant C. arborescens in the outer rows of their fields. It can help improve the soil, making it ready for other plants to grow. As a legume, the Siberian peashrub performs nitrogen fixation. This means it takes nitrogen from the air and puts it into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer. It is also good for planting in single rows to create a dense, short barrier that blocks wind. These are called windbreaks.
How Does It Help Animals?
The Siberian peashrub provides a safe place for several types of songbirds to build their nests. A few songbirds also eat the seeds sometimes. While larger animals usually do not prefer to eat the plant itself, its sweet-smelling flowers attract many animals that feed on pollen, like bees and other insects.
