Calyptranthes thomasiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calyptranthes thomasiana |
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| Conservation status | |
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Calyptranthes
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| Species: |
thomasiana
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Calyptranthes thomasiana, also known as Thomas' lidflower, is a very rare plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which includes plants like eucalyptus and guava. This special plant is only found on three islands in the Caribbean Sea. There are fewer than 250 of these plants left in the wild!
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About Thomas' Lidflower
This rare plant lives on the islands of Vieques in Puerto Rico, St. John in the United States Virgin Islands, and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It used to grow wild on Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, but it has disappeared from there. Now, you can only find it growing in gardens or special plant collections on St. Thomas. Scientists first described this plant in 1855.
What It Looks Like
Thomas' lidflower is an evergreen plant, meaning its leaves stay green all year. It can be a shrub (a small bush) or a small tree. It can grow up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall. Its leaves are oval-shaped and shiny green, usually 2 to 4 centimeters long. The plant also has flowers with four petals that look like tiny spoons.
Where Thomas' Lidflower Lives
This plant likes to live in mountain areas. You can find it on one mountain peak on each of the three islands where it grows:
- Monte Pirata on Vieques
- Bordeaux Mountain on St. John
- Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda
It grows in forests that can be dry or a bit moist. It often shares its home with other plants like orchids and bromeliads.
Why Thomas' Lidflower Is Endangered
Thomas' lidflower is naturally rare, but losing its habitat has made things worse.
On Vieques
On Vieques, the plants live on land that used to belong to the United States Navy. This area is now part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. The plants are found at the highest point on the island, about 300 meters (984 feet) high. There are only about 10 to 12 plants known here. Even though the Navy activities are gone, the plants are still in danger. A single big event, like a strong hurricane, could wipe them out. For example, Hurricane Hugo damaged forests in 1989.
On St. John
On St. John, the plants also live on the highest mountain peak, about 380 meters (1,247 feet) high. There are about 100 plants in this area. This land is inside the Virgin Islands National Park. However, these plants still face threats. Activities near roads can harm them. Also, wild animals like feral pigs, donkeys, and goats can damage the plants or their habitat. A big reason this plant was added to the United States' endangered species list was because of trees being cut down.
