Carmichaelia torulosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carmichaelia torulosa |
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| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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C. torulosum
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| Binomial name | |
| Carmichaelia torulosum (Kirk) Heenan
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
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Notospartium torulosum Kirk |
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The Carmichaelia torulosa is a special type of plant known as a legume. It belongs to the pea family, called Fabaceae. This unique plant can only be found in the beautiful country of New Zealand.
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About the Carmichaelia torulosa
The Carmichaelia torulosa is a fascinating plant. It is part of a group of plants called legumes. Legumes are known for their pods, which contain seeds. Think of peas or beans; they are also legumes!
What is a Legume?
Legumes are plants that have a special way of growing their seeds. They grow inside pods. These pods can be long or short. The Carmichaelia torulosa is part of the large Fabaceae family. This family includes many plants we know, like clover and peanuts.
Where Does it Live?
This particular plant is endemic to New Zealand. This means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world. It is a true native of the New Zealand landscape. It often grows in specific areas, making it quite rare.
How Does it Look?
The Carmichaelia torulosa is a shrub. It has many branches. Its branches are often leafless or have very small leaves. This gives it a unique appearance. It produces small, pea-like flowers. These flowers can be quite pretty.
Protecting the Carmichaelia torulosa
Sadly, the Carmichaelia torulosa is a plant that needs our help. Its numbers are decreasing. This means it is becoming rarer in the wild. People are working hard to protect it.
What is Conservation Status?
Conservation status tells us how much danger a species is in. It helps us know which plants and animals need protection. Experts study how many are left. They also look at what threatens them.
Global and Local Threats
The IUCN Red List is a worldwide list. It tracks the conservation status of species. The Carmichaelia torulosa is listed as "near threatened" globally. This means it might become endangered soon. The main reason for this is habitat loss. This happens when the places where plants live are destroyed.
In New Zealand, there is a local system. It is called the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). In 2013, this system listed the plant as "Threatened - Nationally Endangered." This was a serious warning. By 2017, its status worsened. It became "Threatened - Nationally Critical."
What Does "Nationally Critical" Mean?
"Nationally Critical" is the highest threat level in New Zealand. It means the plant is facing an extremely high risk of dying out. This is happening right now in New Zealand. It is similar to being "critically endangered" on the global list.
Why is Habitat Loss a Problem?
Habitat loss is a big threat. It happens when forests are cut down. It also happens when land is used for farming or buildings. When a plant's home is gone, it cannot survive. This is why protecting natural areas is so important.
How Can We Help?
Protecting plants like the Carmichaelia torulosa is vital. It helps keep our planet healthy. We can support efforts to save their habitats. Learning about these plants is also a great start. Every little bit helps protect our amazing biodiversity.
Images for kids
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Occurrence data from AVH
