Erythrochiton gymnanthus facts for kids

Erythrochiton gymnanthus is a special kind of tree or shrub. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which also includes citrus fruits like oranges! This plant is endangered, meaning it's at risk of disappearing forever. You can only find it in Costa Rica, a country in Central America. It's one of only twelve species in its group, called Erythrochiton, which are all found in the Neotropical region (parts of Central and South America).

What Does Erythrochiton gymnanthus Look Like?

This unique plant can grow to be between 1.5 and 6 meters tall. That's like a small tree or a large bush! Its younger branches are smooth. Each branch has a bunch of leaves at its end.

Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit

The leaves are quite large, measuring from about 14.5 to 36.4 centimeters long and 3.5 to 11 centimeters wide. They are shaped like a spoon or a narrow spoon, and they narrow down towards the base. The part of the leaf that connects to the stem, called the petiole, is smooth and can be from 0.5 to 3 centimeters long.

The flowers are white and beautiful. They can be quite big, about 4.5 to 6 centimeters across. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a capsule, which is a dry fruit that splits open to release seeds. It's made of 4 to 5 smooth sections, each about 1.6 to 1.9 centimeters long. You can usually see this plant flowering from April to July.

Where Does Erythrochiton gymnanthus Live?

Erythrochiton gymnanthus is found only in Costa Rica. Specifically, it lives in the Central Pacific Conservation Area. You can find it in regions like Barranca and Miramar. It also grows in the Carara National Park.

Its Preferred Home

This plant likes to grow in humid forests. It usually lives at lower elevations, from about 20 to 100 meters above sea level.

Why Is Erythrochiton gymnanthus Endangered?

Sadly, Erythrochiton gymnanthus is facing threats that put it at risk. One problem is leaf diseases, which can harm the plant. Another big issue is the breaking up of its habitat.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

When forests are cut down or divided into smaller pieces, it's called habitat fragmentation. This makes it harder for plants like Erythrochiton gymnanthus to survive and reproduce. It also makes them more vulnerable to diseases and other dangers. Protecting its natural home is very important for this special plant to survive.

See also

In Spanish: Erythrochiton gymnanthus para niños