Santa Cruz wallflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz wallflower |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erysimum
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| Species: |
teretifolium
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The Santa Cruz wallflower (also called the Ben Lomond wallflower) is a very special and rare plant. It only grows in a small area of Santa Cruz County, California. You can find it on sandy areas, in chaparral (a type of shrubland), and on sandstone rocks. This plant is so rare that it is listed as an endangered species by both California and the U.S. government. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever.
Contents
Discover the Santa Cruz Wallflower
What Does This Plant Look Like?
The Santa Cruz wallflower is a type of herb. It can live for two years (biennial) or many years (perennial). It grows one or more stems that stand straight up. These stems are usually dark reddish-purple. They can be as short as 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) or almost a meter (about 3 feet) tall.
The plant has a few leaves along its stems. These leaves are dark green and can be a bit toothed or jagged. At the very top of the stems, you'll find thin groups of flowers. These flowers have rounded petals that are bright yellow, dark yellow, or even orangish. Each petal is about one or two centimeters long. After the flowers bloom, they drop off. Then, long, flat fruits called siliques grow. These fruits can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long and stick out from the stem.
Where Does the Santa Cruz Wallflower Live?
This unique plant is found only in a small strip of land. This area is about 9 miles long and 5 miles wide. It's located in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains in California. It needs very specific conditions to grow, like open sandy spots.
Why Is This Plant Endangered?
The Santa Cruz wallflower faces many dangers that threaten its survival.
- Building and Development: A big threat comes from people building new homes, stores, and roads. This construction destroys the plant's natural home.
- Sand Mining: A lot of the remaining plants live on land used by companies that dig up sand. This sand mining destroys the sandy areas where the wallflower grows. Once the habitat is damaged by mining, it's very hard for it to ever return to its natural state.
- Fire Control: Normally, small fires help keep the habitat healthy by clearing away old leaves and needles. But when fires are stopped (fire suppression), too much plant material builds up. The Santa Cruz wallflower needs open, sandy ground to grow well.
- Habitat Loss: As cities grow, the plant's habitat gets broken up into smaller pieces. This makes it harder for the plants to spread and survive.
How Many Are Left?
Scientists know of about 13 groups of these plants still living today. Sadly, several other groups are believed to have completely disappeared. Protecting the remaining populations is very important to keep the Santa Cruz wallflower from vanishing forever.
