Ione manzanita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ione manzanita |
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A. myrtifolia
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| Arctostaphylos myrtifolia Parry
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The Ione manzanita (scientific name: Arctostaphylos myrtifolia) is a special and rare type of plant. It's a kind of manzanita, which are shrubs or small trees. You can only find this plant in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. It likes to grow in areas with chaparral (a type of shrubland) and woodlands.
This plant grows in a unique kind of acidic soil. You can find it mostly in western Amador and Calaveras Counties. There are only about 17 known places where it grows. Even though it's rare, it can be found in large numbers in some of these spots. The Ione manzanita is listed as a federally threatened species, meaning it needs protection to survive.
Contents
What Does the Ione Manzanita Look Like?
The Ione manzanita is a shrub with reddish bark. It can grow to be a bit taller than one meter (about 3 feet). Its branches are often bristly.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are small and bright green. They are less than 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. If you touch them, they feel a bit rough, but they look shiny. They are covered in tiny, sticky hairs.
The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called a raceme. These flowers are shaped like small urns, which is common for manzanita plants. They grow on bright red branches.
Fruit
After the flowers, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are called drupes and are shaped like tiny cylinders. They are only a few millimeters long.
Why Is This Plant in Danger?
The Ione manzanita faces a big threat from two types of plant diseases caused by tiny fungi. These diseases can harm or even kill the plants.
Fungal Diseases
One disease is called branch canker. It's caused by a fungus named Fusicoccum, including a type called F. aesculi. This disease can cause some plants to die.
Another very serious problem is root and crown rot. This disease is caused by a different fungus called Phytophthora cinnamomi. It has destroyed entire groups of Ione manzanita plants. It also stops new plants from growing in the affected soil. A new fungus, Phytophthora cambivora, has also been found.
Protecting the Species
These harmful fungi are spreading quickly. They might soon reach all the places where the Ione manzanita grows. Because of this serious threat, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has suggested that the Ione manzanita's status be changed. They want it to be listed as an endangered species, not just threatened. This would give it even more protection to help prevent it from becoming extinct.
See also
In Spanish: Arctostaphylos myrtifolia para niños
