California dissanthelium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dissanthelium californicum |
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Dissanthelium
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D. california
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| Dissanthelium california (Nutt.) Benth.
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Dissanthelium californicum is a very rare type of grass. People also call it California dissanthelium or Catalina grass. It was first found on Santa Catalina Island in 1847. This island is off the coast of California. A botanist (a scientist who studies plants) named William Gambel discovered it.
For a long time, people thought this grass had disappeared forever. It was last seen in 1912. But then, on March 29, 2005, a person named Jenny McCune found it again! She worked for the Catalina Island Conservancy on Catalina Island. Later, in 2010, two more groups of this grass were found on San Clemente Island. Sadly, it has not been seen again on Guadalupe Island off Baja California.
About This Rare Grass
The Dissanthelium californicum is a special grass because it is so hard to find. It grows in specific places, mainly on islands near California and Mexico. Scientists call plants that are very rare "endangered." This means they are at risk of disappearing completely.
Discovery and Rediscovery
When William Gambel first found this grass in 1847, it was an exciting discovery. He was a naturalist, which means he studied nature. For many years, the grass seemed to vanish. People thought it was extinct, meaning no more of its kind existed.
The rediscovery in 2005 was a big surprise! It showed that even if a plant is not seen for a long time, it might still be out there. Finding new groups of the grass on San Clemente Island in 2010 gave scientists more hope. It helps them learn how to protect this unique California grass.
Images for kids
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A drawing of the Dissanthelium californicum grass.
See also
In Spanish: Dissanthelium californicum para niños
