Hoover's sandmat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoover's sandmat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euphorbia
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| Species: |
hooveri
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| Synonyms | |
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Chamaesyce hooveri |
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Euphorbia hooveri, also called Hoover's sandmat or Hoover's spurge, is a special type of plant. It belongs to the euphorb family. This plant is found only in California, which means it is endemic to that state.
It grows in rare places called vernal pools, mostly in California's Central Valley. These pools are unique because they fill with water in winter and spring, then dry up in summer. Sadly, most of these special habitats have been lost. Because of this, Euphorbia hooveri was listed as a threatened species in 1997. This means it needs protection to survive.
Contents
What is Hoover's Sandmat?
Hoover's sandmat is an annual plant. This means it lives for only one growing season. It forms flat, low-growing mats on the ground. Its stems are thin and smooth, without hairs.
The stems have tiny, round leaves growing in pairs. These leaves are gray-green and have very small teeth along their edges. Each leaf is only a few millimeters wide.
How Does It Grow?
The plant's flowers are very small, only about two millimeters wide. These tiny flower structures are called cyathia. Each cyathium has flat, white parts around a single tiny female flower. Inside, there are also several male flowers.
After the female flower is pollinated, it grows into a round fruit. This fruit holds white seeds. These seeds wait for the right time to sprout. They usually start to grow once the vernal pool dries up in the summer. The plant often grows from cracks in the drying mud.
Where Does Hoover's Sandmat Live?
Hoover's sandmat lives in the deepest parts of vernal pools. These areas become muddy flats as the water disappears. The plant needs these specific conditions to grow.
Why Are Vernal Pools Important?
Vernal pools are unique wetlands that are only wet for part of the year. They are home to many rare plants and animals. These pools are like temporary ponds that appear after winter rains. They then dry out completely in the summer heat.
Why is Hoover's Sandmat in Danger?
The main reason Euphorbia hooveri is threatened is because its home, the vernal pools, are disappearing. Much of the land in the Central Valley has been used for farming and building new towns or cities. This has destroyed most of the vernal pool habitats.
Another big problem for this plant is invasive plants. These are plants that are not native to the area. They move into the vernal pools and can take over, pushing out the native plants like Hoover's sandmat. These invasive plants compete for space, water, and nutrients, making it harder for Euphorbia hooveri to survive.
See also
In Spanish: Euphorbia hooveri para niños
