Flower sticks, also known as astragalus astragalus, are large deciduous shrubs of the genus Astragalus in the family Sphenoidaceae. The root system is developed at about two meters high, about 8 to 15 meters long, and reliable natural rainfall sustains life. The growth period of the flower stick is long, the pink purple flowers bloom in summer and autumn, and the branches of the flower stick are soft and long, which hides the unique charm of mature women, so the flower stick is also called "desert lady". Small flower sticks bloom alone in the desert, turning the desert into a sea of flowers!
Introduction to the flower stick
The petals and leaves are very small and the fruit is shaped like cottonseed, the main stem is orange, the summer and autumn pink purple flowers, the leaf veins are silver gray, the support rod is oily and flammable, and the water content is low, so the evaporation is small, which can be used as fuel in the desert. It is the only xerophytic tree growing on tall sand dunes in the Shapotou area.
The growth habit of the flower stick
Flower sticks are sandy, drought-tolerant, light-loving tree species, it is suitable for quicksand environment, like sand burial, wind erosion resistance, resistant to cold and heat, lush foliage, strong tillering force, windproof sand fixation effect. Both the main and lateral root systems are well developed. The trees can reach more than 70 years of age.
Distribution range
Flower sticks are desert and semi-desert drought-tolerant plants. In China, it is distributed in the deserts of Ulan Buhe, Tengger, Badain Jarin, Gurbantungut and other provinces in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang and other provinces.
The flowering period of the flower sticks
The flowering period of the flower stick is long, the flower buds are formed on the new branches of the year, the flowering period begins to bloom in late May, the flowering period continues until September, its flower buds and blooming flowers are pink-purple, tender, the flowers become more mature, the water becomes dry, it will become pure purple, and the purple flowers will dry out a little more, and they will become yellow pods. After the pods become ripe and peeled off, the small beans are its fruits. Because of the flower stick, you can also form a beautiful landscape in the desolate desert!
The value of the flower stick
Economic value: the branches of the flower stick contain oil and are excellent firewood; can be used for weaving; the trunk can be used as a handle; the stem fibre is strong and can be rubbed with hemp rope; the young branches and leaves can be used for feed; the seeds can be pressed for oil.
Improving water and soil: The flower stick has strong adaptability, and only nodules, which can fix nitrogen in the air to supply its own needs, so it can grow vigorously on the barren sandy ground and have a good soil modification effect.