Castela emoryi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castela emoryi |
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| Castela emoryi | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Castela
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| Species: |
emoryi
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| Synonyms | |
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Holacantha emoryi A. Gray |
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Castela emoryi, also known as crucifixion thorn, is a type of shrub. It gets its name from its sharp thorns. This plant belongs to the Castela group of plants. It is part of a larger plant family called Sapindales.
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Where Does It Grow?
This special plant grows naturally in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert areas. These deserts are found in North America.
You can find Castela emoryi in southern California, Arizona, and the Sonora state in México.
What Does It Look Like?
Castela emoryi is often a small shrub, usually less than 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Sometimes, it can grow much taller, up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) or more.
In California, this plant is considered an endangered species. This means it is rare and needs protection. However, it is more common in other places. Its survival in California is threatened by new solar energy projects and military activities.
How People Use It
Long ago, the Yavapai people, a Native American tribe, used this plant. They used its sap from the buds to make medicine for skin problems.
Natural Bug and Fungus Fighter
Castela emoryi is a natural bug killer. It contains special chemicals called quassinoids. One of these chemicals, glaucarubolone glucoside, helps protect the plant from bugs. For example, it can stop termites like Reticulitermes flavipes from eating it.
These chemicals might also help fight plant diseases. They could work against things like grape downy mildew, which is a type of fungus that harms grapevines. The plant also has other useful compounds like glaucarubol and ellagic acid.
See also
In Spanish: Castela emoryi para niños
