Vahl's boxwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vahl's boxwood |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Buxus
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| Species: |
vahlii
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Buxus vahlii, also known as Vahl's boxwood, is a very rare plant. It belongs to the boxwood family. This special plant grows naturally only in Puerto Rico and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are only a few groups of these plants left, maybe four in total.
Scientists believe Vahl's boxwood has always been rare. However, its numbers have dropped even more because of deforestation (cutting down forests) and other human activities that harm its home. In 1985, it was officially listed as an endangered species in the United States. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. At first, people thought it only grew in Puerto Rico, which is called being endemic. Later, a few plants were found in St. Croix, including some inside the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Contents
What is Vahl's Boxwood?
Vahl's boxwood can be a shrub (a small, bushy plant) or a small tree. It can grow up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall. A cool way to identify it is by looking at its stem: it has two small grooves right below where the leaves grow.
Flowers and Seeds
This plant produces clusters of flowers. After the flowers, it grows fruits that look like small capsules with horns. Inside these horned capsules, you'll find black seeds. These seeds are how the plant tries to make new plants.
Where Does Vahl's Boxwood Live?
Today, there are only two main groups of Vahl's boxwood plants left in Puerto Rico. These two groups have between 40 and 85 individual plants in total. Sadly, scientists have not seen any of these plants successfully make new seeds that grow into new plants.
Rincón Population
One group of Vahl's boxwood lives in Rincón, close to the beach at Punta Higuero. The plants here are quite short and look a bit yellowish. This yellowish color is called chlorosis. It might be happening because they get too much sun, are exposed to sea spray from the ocean, and strong winds. These plants are in a canyon next to a popular beach where people go surfing and camping. This area has also had some accidental fires, which can harm the plants.
Bayamón Population
The other group of Vahl's boxwood is found in a forest near Hato Tejas in Bayamón. This location is different from the beach environment in Rincón.
What Threatens Vahl's Boxwood?
Vahl's boxwood prefers to grow on limestone rock. This type of rock is often used for building materials.
Quarrying Dangers
One big threat to Vahl's boxwood is quarrying limestone. Quarrying is when people dig up large amounts of rock from the ground. This activity destroys the natural homes of these plants. The smaller group of Vahl's boxwood plants in Puerto Rico is located right next to a limestone quarry, putting them at risk. Protecting their habitat is very important for their survival.
See also
In Spanish: Buxus vahlii para niños
