Lakela's mint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lakela's mint |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicerandra
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| Species: |
immaculata
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Dicerandra immaculata is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family. People often call it Lakela's mint, Olga's mint, or spotless balm. This special plant grows only in Florida in the United States. You can find it in just two counties: Indian River and St. Lucie.
Sadly, there are only a few groups of these plants left. Some of these areas are being cleared for new buildings. Because it is so rare, the U.S. government listed it as an endangered species in 1985. This means it is protected by law.
Contents
What Does Lakela's Mint Look Like?
This plant is a fragrant shrub that comes back every year. It can grow up to about half a meter tall. Several straight stems grow from a strong, woody taproot (a main root). Its narrow leaves are about 3 centimeters long. They are only about 4 millimeters wide. The whole plant smells like mint!
Flowers and Pollination
Lakela's mint flowers grow in groups of one to three. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. The flowers are a pretty purplish-pink color. Unlike many other Dicerandra plants, these flowers do not have spots. The bottom part of the flower is shaped like a tube.
The flowers have special parts called anthers. These anthers have tiny spurs. When an insect lands on the flower, these spurs act like triggers. They cause the flower to release its pollen. This helps the plant make seeds.
There are two slightly different types of this plant. One type, called var. savannarum, was found in 2001. It has wider leaves and softer branches. The other type is var. immaculata.
Where Does Lakela's Mint Live?
This plant grows in a special kind of sandy habitat in Florida. This habitat is called Florida scrub. It has white or yellow sand. You can find Lakela's mint in open areas. It also grows in slightly shady spots. These are places where strong winds or wildfires have cleared some space. This allows sunlight to reach the ground.
Threats to Its Home
The Florida scrub habitat is becoming very rare. More and more land is being used for new homes and businesses. Florida's population is growing fast. Many known groups of Lakela's mint have been lost because of this. The remaining areas where it grows are now very spread out. This makes it harder for the plants to survive.
What Harms Lakela's Mint?
Not many animals eat this mint plant. Its strong oils keep most plant-eating animals away. So, animals are not a big problem for it. However, a type of mildew can sometimes affect the flowers. This can stop the plant from making fruit.
Invasive Plants
Some invasive plant species are a big threat to Lakela's mint's home. These are plants that are not native to Florida. They grow quickly and take over the habitat. Some examples include Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), rosary pea (Abrus precatorius), Natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum).
Protecting Lakela's Mint
To help this rare plant, some new groups of Lakela's mint have been planted. These new areas are protected. Even if they are not exactly where the plant used to grow, they offer a safe place for it to thrive. This helps to make sure this special mint does not disappear forever.
