Churchill Narrows buckwheat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Churchill Narrows buckwheat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriogonum
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| Species: |
diatomaceum
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The Churchill Narrows buckwheat (Eriogonum diatomaceum) is a special type of wild buckwheat plant. It is found only in one specific area of Nevada in the United States. This plant lives in the Pine Nut Mountains in Lyon County, especially near the Churchill Narrows, close to Fort Churchill State Historic Park. Scientists first discovered this unique plant in 1997 and officially described it in 2002.
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About the Churchill Narrows Buckwheat
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It has stems that spread out, sometimes forming a mat up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) wide. The plant grows from a strong, woody taproot that goes deep into the ground.
Its leaves are oval-shaped and covered in soft, grayish, woolly fibers. The flowers grow in a cluster at the top of a flowering stem. This stem can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall, but it's often shorter. The flowers themselves are a creamy white color. While it looks a bit like Eriogonum pauciflorum, it's actually more closely related to Eriogonum ochrocephalum.
Where Does It Grow?
The Churchill Narrows buckwheat grows in a very specific type of soil called diatomaceous clays. This special soil comes from the Coal Valley Formation, which is a geological area.
Other plants that grow in the same area include shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), prince's plume (Stanleya pinnata var. pinnata), Bailey's greasewood (Sarcobates baileyi), and budsage (Picrothamnus desertorum). You might also find green molly (Kochia americana), horsebrush (Tetradymia glabrata), and other types of buckwheat like flat-top buckwheat (Eriogonum deflexum var. nevadense) and Lemmon's buckwheat (E. lemmonii).
How Many Plants Are There?
There is only one main group of this plant, but it's spread out into about 15 smaller areas. In total, there are fewer than 50,000 individual plants. All of these plants live within a small area of about three square miles. This land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
What Threats Does It Face?
Because there are so few of these plants, the Churchill Narrows buckwheat is being considered for special protection by the government. There are a few things that threaten its survival:
- Mining: The special soil where the plant grows, diatomaceous earth, is valuable for mining. It's used to make products like cat litter. This mining can destroy the plant's habitat.
- Off-road vehicles: People using off-road vehicles in the area can damage the plants and their soil. About two-thirds of the plant groups are found near roads where these vehicles travel.
- Livestock grazing: Animals like cows or sheep grazing in the area can also harm the plants. Their hooves can break up the delicate soil, making it harder for the buckwheat to grow.
