Longspurred mint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longspurred mint |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicerandra
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| Species: |
cornutissima
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The Dicerandra cornutissima is a very rare flowering plant. People often call it the longspurred mint, longspurred balm, or Robin's mint. It belongs to the mint family. This special plant only grows in Florida, in the United States. You can mostly find it in Marion County. It might have once grown in Sumter County, but it may not be there anymore.
There are only about 15 known places where this plant still grows. Because it is so rare, the United States government officially listed it as an endangered species in 1985. This means it is protected by law.
What it Looks Like
This plant is a shrub that smells very strong and nice. It can grow up to about half a meter (about 1.5 feet) tall. Its stems stand straight up from a woody base.
- Leaves: The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They are long and thin, about 1.5 centimeters (half an inch) long. They have smooth edges and tiny dots that are actually oil glands.
- Flowers: The flowers are just under a centimeter long. They have a bent, tube-like shape with two lips. The flowers are dark pink or purplish. They often have purple spots and a lighter-colored throat.
- Anthers: Inside the flower, the anthers (parts that hold pollen) have horn-like spurs. These spurs are quite large, over a millimeter long.
Where it Lives
The longspurred mint grows in a special type of habitat called Florida scrub. It can also be found in nearby sandhill areas.
This scrub habitat has many sand pines and different kinds of oak trees. Underneath these trees, you might see other plants like:
- Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Scrub palmetto (Sabal etonia)
- Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides)
The sandy ground is often covered with different lichens, like Cladina evansii and Cladina subtenuis. You might also see grasses such as wiregrass (Aristida stricta).
Why it's Endangered
The biggest danger to the longspurred mint is the loss of its Florida scrub home. People are building more and more homes and cities, which destroys the plant's natural habitat.
Even in places where the plant is protected, the land might not be managed well. This habitat needs regular fires to stay healthy. Fires help clear out overgrown plants and create open spaces that the longspurred mint needs to grow.
- Fire Challenges: Natural fires are often put out because of nearby neighborhoods. It's hard to do Controlled burns (fires set on purpose) in these areas for safety reasons.
- New Plants: Another problem is introduced plant species, like Natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens). These plants are not native to Florida and can take over the space that the longspurred mint needs.
Protecting this special habitat and managing it properly is very important for the survival of the longspurred mint.
