Navajo sedge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navajo sedge |
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C. specuicola
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| Carex specuicola J.T.Howell
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The Navajo sedge (scientific name: Carex specuicola) is a very rare plant. It's a type of sedge, which looks a lot like grass but isn't actually a grass. This special plant only grows in a small part of the Colorado Plateau in the United States. You can find it where the states of Utah and Arizona meet, entirely within the lands of the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo sedge is quite unique. It grows on the sides of steep, red cliffs made of Navajo Sandstone. You'll usually spot it in shady places where water slowly drips from the rock. This plant lives at high elevations, typically between 5,700 and 6,000 feet (about 1,737 to 1,829 meters) above sea level.
When it was first listed as a threatened species in 1985, there were only about 700 plants known. They were found in just three spots in Coconino County, Arizona. Since then, more plants have been found in northeastern Arizona and San Juan County, Utah.
What It Looks Like
The Navajo sedge is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. Its stems can grow up to 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) long. The leaves are very thin, like hair, and look similar to grass blades. They can grow up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long and often hang down the rock face.
The plant has small groups of flowers called inflorescences. Each stalk can have up to four flower spikes. The lower spikes usually have male flowers, while the ones higher up have female flowers. Sometimes, the spike at the very top can have both male and female flowers.
How It Reproduces
Even though the flowers produce fruits, the Navajo sedge mostly makes new plants in a different way. It uses something called vegetative reproduction. This means new plants can grow from parts of the original plant, like its stems or roots, instead of from seeds. This helps the plant spread in its rocky home.
Why It's Important
The Navajo people have lived in this region for a very long time. They have their own names for this plant, calling it "yellow hay" and "food for the animals." They say that the Navajo sedge used to be much more common.
Today, this rare plant faces some challenges. One big threat is grazing and trampling by livestock like goats. These animals can accidentally damage the plants. The sedge also needs water trickling from the cliffs to survive. Any changes to how water flows in the area could harm the plant. Protecting its habitat and water sources is key to helping the Navajo sedge thrive.
