Hoffmann's rockcress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoffmann's rockcress |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Boechera
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| Species: |
hoffmannii
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| Synonyms | |
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Arabis hoffmannii |
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Boechera hoffmannii is a very special and rare flowering plant. It's also known as Hoffmann's rockcress. This plant is part of the Brassicaceae family, which includes plants like broccoli and cabbage. It's so rare that it only grows in a few places on Earth!
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Hoffmann's Rockcress: A Rare Island Plant
Where Hoffmann's Rockcress Lives
Hoffmann's rockcress is an endemic plant. This means it only grows naturally in one specific place. For this plant, that place is the Channel Islands of California. These islands are off the coast of California.
Scientists have found this plant in only three or four spots. These spots are on just two of the eight Channel Islands. In 2005, experts counted only about 244 individual plants left in the whole world. Because it's so rare, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's in danger of disappearing forever.
What Hoffmann's Rockcress Looks Like
This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and has soft, green stems instead of woody ones. It grows one or more tall stems from a scaly, hairy base called a caudex.
The stems can grow up to 50 to 70 centimeters tall. That's about as tall as a big ruler! The stems branch out near the top. The leaves grow in a tight bunch around the base of the plant. This bunch is called a basal rosette. These leaves are shaped like a spear, feel leathery, and have fuzzy undersides. They can be up to 10 centimeters long. Other leaves grow further up the stem and are a bit shorter.
Flowers and Fruits
The plant's inflorescence is where its flowers grow. It has many white or purple flowers. Each flower has thick, dark sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. After the flowers bloom, they turn into a tough, smooth fruit. This fruit is called a silique. It can be up to 10 centimeters long and holds two rows of seeds inside.
Why Is Hoffmann's Rockcress Endangered?
There are a few big problems that threaten Hoffmann's rockcress. One major threat comes from feral pigs. These wild pigs graze on the plants and cause erosion of the soil. This makes it hard for the rockcress to grow.
Another problem is invasive grasses. These are grasses that are not native to the islands. They grow very fast and compete with the rockcress for space, water, and sunlight. This makes it difficult for the rare plant to survive.
How Hoffmann's Rockcress Reproduces
The populations of Hoffmann's rockcress grow very slowly. This plant is monocarpic. This means that each individual plant lives for a few years, produces seeds only once, and then dies. Because of this, only a few plants in each group are able to reproduce each year. This slow reproduction makes it harder for the plant to recover from threats and increase its numbers.
