Klamath Mountain catchfly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Klamath Mountain catchfly |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Silene
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| Species: |
salmonacea
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The Silene salmonacea is a very rare type of flowering plant. It's also known as the Klamath Mountain catchfly or salmon-flowered catchfly. This plant belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which includes many kinds of pinks and carnations.
Scientists only recently described this plant in 2006. It is found in just a few spots in Trinity County, California.
About the Salmon-Flowered Catchfly
This special plant grows in the forests of the southern Klamath Mountains. It likes to grow in a type of soil called serpentine soils. These soils are unique because they have certain minerals that many other plants cannot handle.
What Does It Look Like?
The salmon-flowered catchfly is a small plant. It grows only a few centimeters (about an inch or two) tall. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years.
Its leaves are shaped like spoons and can be up to 3.5 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) long. The plant's leaves and stems look gray-green and feel a bit fuzzy or woolly.
Each flower has a tube-shaped part called a calyx. This calyx is made of five fused sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. It has ten lines or veins on it. The flowers have five petals that are a beautiful salmon pink color. Each petal has four small tips or "lobes" at the end.
Why Is It So Rare?
The Silene salmonacea is extremely rare. It is known to grow in only six small areas. Even more concerning, two of these areas have fewer than five individual plants! This makes it a very important plant to protect.
