Chandler's craglily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chandler's craglily |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Echeandia
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| Species: |
chandleri
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| Synonyms | |
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Anthericum chandleri |
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Echeandia chandleri is a special flowering plant. It's also called Chandler's craglily or lila de los llanos. This plant is found only in southern Texas, USA, and nearby Tamaulipas, Mexico. It's an endemic species, meaning it lives only in these places.
Sadly, Echeandia chandleri is an endangered species. Experts believe there are fewer than 25 places where it still grows naturally. There are also less than 100,000 individual plants left in the wild.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a type of herb that grows year after year. It stands upright and has roots that are thick and fleshy. Its leaves are flat and look a lot like grass.
Echeandia chandleri can grow to be about 1 to 3 feet tall. When its flower stalk grows, it can reach up to 4 feet! It blooms, or flowers, between May and November. Its flowers are bright yellow or orange. Each flower is about 1 inch wide. These pretty flowers grow in small groups of 2 to 4 on short stems.
Where Does It Live?
This plant lives in specific areas. In Texas, it is found in three southern counties: Cameron, Nueces, and Kleberg. It also grows in parts of Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Its natural homes are open grasslands. It also likes areas with chaparral and brush. These plants prefer to grow in clay soils.
Why Is It Endangered?
Echeandia chandleri is in danger because of several reasons. Its habitat, or the place where it lives, is shrinking. This happens because of:
- Grazing: Animals eating the plants.
- Agriculture: Land being used for farming.
- Housing Development: New homes and buildings being built.
To help save this plant, people are growing it in special places. One such place is the "Kika" de la Garza Plant Materials Center. This center is part of Texas A&M University in Kingsville. They are working to protect and grow more of these unique plants.
