Auerodendron pauciflorum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auerodendron pauciflorum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Auerodendron
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| Species: |
pauciflorum
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Auerodendron pauciflorum is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. One common name for it is turtlefat. This plant grows only in Puerto Rico. It is found in just one small area in Isabela.
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Discovering the Rare Turtlefat Plant
When the United States officially listed this plant as an endangered species in 1994, only ten plants were known to exist. This means it was in danger of disappearing forever. By 1997, scientists found a few more plants. There were 19 known specimens in total.
Where Does the Turtlefat Plant Live?
This plant is a shrub. It naturally grows in moist forests. These forests are found on limestone hills. They are located in the northwestern part of Puerto Rico.
Why Is the Turtlefat Plant So Rare?
The turtlefat plant has almost disappeared. This is due to several problems in its home. The land where it grows is privately owned. People want to build on this land. There are plans for a large resort and cell phone towers.
The hills are also used for mining. People dig up limestone from the ground. Cutting down trees, or deforestation, is also happening. All these activities harm the plant's habitat.
Threats to Its Survival
Because the plant is already so rare, any single event can threaten it. For example, if people damage the plants, it could greatly reduce their numbers. This makes the plant very vulnerable to extinction.
What Does the Turtlefat Plant Look Like?
This plant is an evergreen shrub. This means it keeps its leaves all year round. Its leaves are green with small black dots. They can grow up to 15 centimeters long and 6 centimeters wide. The plant has two or three flowers. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem.
The Mystery of the Turtlefat Plant
Scientists first discovered this plant in 1976. It is so rare that its fruit has not been fully described by science. Scientists have also not seen any seedlings. When researchers checked the existing plants, only a few were old enough to make seeds and reproduce. This makes it even harder for the plant to grow its population.
