California jewelflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California jewelflower |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caulanthus
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| Species: |
californicus
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| Synonyms | |
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Stanfordia californica |
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The Caulanthus californicus, often called the California jewelflower or St. Francis cabbage, is a unique flowering plant. It is part of the Brassicaceae family, which includes plants like mustard and cabbage. This plant is very special because it is an endemic species. This means it naturally grows only in one specific area. For the California jewelflower, that area is California.
What Does It Look Like?
The California jewelflower is an annual herb. This means it lives for only one growing season. It grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies. The plant has a stem that can stand straight up or spread out. Its height can vary quite a bit.
Its leaves are rounded or oval-shaped. They can grow up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. These leaves have small teeth along their edges. They also wrap around the stem, mostly near the bottom part of the plant.
The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. Often, these rounded flowers appear only on one side of the stem. Each flower has special parts called sepals. These sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. When they are new, they are dark purple. As the flower opens, they change to a light green or white color. Inside, the petals are almost white with pretty purple lines. They also have a frilly look. After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit called a silique. This fruit can be up to 6 centimeters (about 2.4 inches) long.
Where Does It Live?
The California jewelflower used to be found in many more places. It once grew all across the San Joaquin Valley. It also lived on the nearby eastern slopes of the California Coast Ranges. You could even find it in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
However, its home range has shrunk a lot. This happened because much of the Central Valley floor was turned into farmland. This change caused the plant to disappear from many areas. This is called extirpation.
Today, the California jewelflower only lives in three main areas. These are the Carrizo Plain, Santa Barbara Canyon in Santa Barbara County, and the Kreyenhagen Hills in Fresno County. There are only about 20 known groups of these plants left. Sadly, at least 35 other groups that once existed have now disappeared completely.
Why Is It Endangered?
Because its habitat has shrunk so much, the California jewelflower is now a federally listed endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of becoming extinct. Protecting the remaining areas where it grows is very important. This helps ensure that this unique and beautiful plant can continue to survive for future generations.
