Kearney's bluestar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kearney's bluestar |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amsonia
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| Species: |
kearneyana
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Amsonia kearneyana, also known as Kearney's bluestar, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the dogbane family. This plant is originally from Arizona, where there is only one known group of them living in the Baboquivari Mountains in Pima County. There might also be a small group of these plants just south of the border in Sonora, Mexico.
In 1989, Kearney's bluestar was officially listed as an endangered species. This meant it was in danger of disappearing forever. At that time, only eight plants were left in the wild, living near a river in a canyon. Since then, people have been growing more of them by hand to help increase their numbers.
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Kearney's Bluestar: A Rare Desert Plant
Kearney's bluestar is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a thick root in rocky soil, often found near rivers. It can grow up to 50 hairy stems, reaching about 3 feet (90 cm) tall. These stems form a round clump that can be almost 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide.
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of Kearney's bluestar are shaped like a spear, about 4 inches (10 cm) long and 0.5 to 1 inch (1 to 2 cm) wide. The plant produces clusters of white flowers. Each flower is about 0.5 to 1 inch (1 to 2 cm) long. The flowers are shaped like a tube that opens up flat, with short, rounded petals.
After the flowers, the plant grows a type of fruit called a follicle. This fruit can be up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and holds the seeds. The seeds are quite large, about 0.4 inches (1 cm) long and 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) wide.
Where Does It Live?
Kearney's bluestar grows at elevations between 3,592 and 3,806 feet (1095 and 1160 meters). Its home is in areas with plants that grow near water, surrounded by the Sonoran Desert. It's a mix of different plant types, like woodlands and chaparral.
The land where it grows is looked after by different groups. These include the Bureau of Land Management, the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tohono O'odham Nation (a Native American tribe).
Why Is It Endangered?
The small group of native Kearney's bluestar plants faces several dangers. One big threat is habitat destruction. This happens when farm animals, like livestock, damage the plants' home. Sudden, strong flash floods in the river canyon can also harm the plants.
Many of the plants cannot make new plants because their seeds don't grow. This is probably because insects eat the seeds before they can fully develop.
Who Is Thomas Henry Kearney?
The plant's scientific name, kearneyana, and its common name, Kearney's bluestar, are in honor of Thomas Henry Kearney. He was a botanist who studied plants in the American Southwest.
