Stonecrop gilia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stonecrop gilia |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aliciella
|
| Species: |
sedifolia
|
The Stonecrop Gilia (Aliciella sedifolia) is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the phlox family. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in one small area. You can find it in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, in the United States. It used to be called Gilia sedifolia.
Contents
What is the Stonecrop Gilia?
The Stonecrop Gilia is a small plant. It grows back every year, so it's a perennial. It has a main root called a taproot that goes deep into the ground. This plant stays quite short.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are long and thin. They are also a bit thick and juicy, like the leaves of stonecrop plants. This is why it's called "stonecrop gilia"!
The flowers grow in a cluster that looks like a spike. They are a pretty blue-purple color. The plant blooms in July and August. Sometimes, it might even bloom in September. Its seeds have little "wings" that help them spread.
Where Does it Live?
This special plant lives only in the high San Juan Mountains. It likes very cold, alpine climates. You can find it growing on white volcanic ash and sandstone rocks. These rocks are often found in piles called talus.
The Stonecrop Gilia grows at very high elevations. It can be found between 11,800 and 13,400 feet above sea level. Another common plant in this area is Alpine Avens. However, the Stonecrop Gilia only grows in bare spots where other plants aren't covering the ground.
Why is it So Rare?
The Stonecrop Gilia is considered "extremely rare." For a long time, people only knew about two places where it grew. One of these places was hard to find again. For a while, people worried the plant might be gone forever.
Rediscovery and New Finds
Luckily, the first group of plants was found again in 2007! Before that, a second group was discovered on a place called Half Peak. This second group has about 1,100 individual plants. All of these plants grow on land managed by the United States Forest Service. This means the government helps protect them.
What Threats Does it Face?
One of the biggest dangers to the Stonecrop Gilia is off-road vehicle use. Vehicles driving off marked roads can damage the plants and their delicate habitat. Protecting these areas helps keep this rare plant safe.
