Malibu baccharis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malibu baccharis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Baccharis
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| Species: |
malibuensis
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The Malibu baccharis (Baccharis malibuensis) is a very rare shrub. It belongs to the aster family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. This plant is special because it only grows in southern California. It is also known as Malibu baccharis.
About the Malibu Baccharis
The Malibu baccharis was first found in the Malibu Creek area. This is in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu. Scientists officially described it as a new species in 1995.
Where It Lives
This plant is endemic to southern California. This means it naturally grows only in this specific area. You can find it in Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties.
It likes to grow in certain types of habitats. These include chaparral areas, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands. Most places where it grows have fewer than 200 individual plants. This shows how rare it is.
What It Looks Like
The Malibu baccharis is a shrub. It usually grows between 40 and 100 centimeters (16 to 40 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can grow even taller, up to 2 meters (80 inches).
Its stems are straight and have a woody base. They are mostly smooth, but might have a few hairs near the ends. The leaves are narrow and long, like a spear. They are about 1.5 to 6.5 centimeters long. The leaves are usually smooth-edged or have small teeth. They also feel a bit sticky because they have glands.
The plant produces many small flower heads. These grow in a long cluster. Each flower head has twenty to thirty or more tiny flowers. Some flowers are male, and some are female. After flowering, the plant makes small, hairy fruits. Each fruit has a fluffy, white top. This helps the seeds float away in the wind.
Protecting This Plant
The Malibu baccharis is a critically endangered plant. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. There are a few main dangers to this rare shrub.
One big threat is off-road vehicles. These vehicles can damage the plants and their habitat. Another danger is urban development. As cities and towns grow, they can take over the land where these plants live. Protecting its natural habitats is very important to help this unique plant survive.
