Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium |
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| Flower | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Eriogonum |
| Species: |
E. longifolium
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| Varietas: |
E. l. var. gnaphalifolium
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| Trinomial name | |
| Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium Gand.
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Scrub buckwheat (its scientific name is Eriogonum longifolium Nutt. var. gnaphalifolium Gand.) is a special type of plant. It belongs to the Polygonaceae family, which is also known as the smartweed or knotweed family.
This plant is very important because it is listed as threatened in the United States. In Florida, it is even more at risk and is considered an endangered species. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever if we don't protect it. In Florida, its closest plant relative is Eriogonum tomentosum. There are also three other types of Eriogonum longifolium found in other parts of the US.
Scrub buckwheat grows in specific places. You can find it in areas called scrub, flatlands, and sand hills. These are usually dry, sandy places.
What Does Scrub Buckwheat Look Like?
This plant usually has up to three stems that produce flowers. Stronger plants might have even more. Its flowers grow from a special protective cup called an involucre. This cup is found on each branch where the flowers cluster together.
How Do Its Flowers Get Pollinated?
Many different insects help pollinate scrub buckwheat flowers. This means they help the plant make seeds. These helpers include various types of solitary bees, which live alone instead of in a hive. Digger wasps and twig-nesting wasps also help. You might also see flies and social wasps visiting the flowers.
Protecting Scrub Buckwheat
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is working hard to protect the places where scrub buckwheat lives. They have active programs to manage its habitat.
Scientists are also very interested in how this plant handles fire. They study if it blooms or dies after a prescribed burning. Prescribed burning is when people carefully set small fires to help the land. This research helps us understand the best ways to protect scrub buckwheat and its home.
