Bayahibe rose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bayahibe rose |
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Leuenbergeria
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quisqueyana
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The Leuenbergeria quisqueyana, often called the Bayahibe rose, is a special type of cactus. It is found only in the Dominican Republic, which is part of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. This beautiful plant is the national flower of the Dominican Republic.
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Discovering the Bayahibe Rose
A French plant expert named Henri Alain Liogier found this cactus in 1977. He officially described it in 1980. He named it quisqueyana to honor the Dominican Republic. People in the Dominican Republic sometimes call their country Quisqueya.
What Does It Look Like?
The Bayahibe rose is a unique cactus that looks more like a shrub. It can grow quite tall, up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) high! Its main stem has groups of sharp spines.
Unlike most cacti, this one has real leaves. Its leaves are bright green and shaped like an oval. The flowers of the Bayahibe rose are pink and bloom at the ends of its branches. After the flowers, it grows yellow fruits that hold black seeds inside.
Where It Lives and Why It's Special
The Bayahibe rose is one of the few cactus types that actually have leaves. It naturally grows in dry forests on the southeastern coast of Hispaniola. You can find it especially near the town of Bayahibe, which is how it got its common name.
Sadly, this plant is in great danger. It is listed as "critically endangered." This means there are very few left in the wild. Its home is disappearing because of habitat loss.
A National Treasure
Because it is so special and endangered, the Dominican Republic made the Bayahibe rose its national flower. A law, called Law 146-11, was passed to protect it. This law helps make sure this unique cactus can survive for future generations.
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