Moreno currant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moreno currant |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ribes
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| Species: |
canthariforme
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| Synonyms | |
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Ribes canthariformis Wiggins |
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The Moreno currant (scientific name: Ribes canthariforme) is a very rare plant. It's a type of currant found only in North America. This special plant is known for its unique flowers and berries.
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Where the Moreno Currant Lives
The Moreno currant grows only in southern California. You can find it in places like San Diego County, California and Riverside County, California. It likes to live in the Laguna Mountains, Elsinore Mountains, and San Jacinto Mountains.
Habitat of the Moreno Currant
This plant is part of a plant community called chaparral. Chaparral is a type of scrubland. It has tough plants that can handle dry weather. The Moreno currant fits right in with these hardy plants.
How Many Moreno Currants Are Left?
Sadly, there are only about 70 of these plants left in the world. Most of them grow in the Cleveland National Forest. Because there aren't many big dangers to them, they don't have special protection plans right now.
What the Moreno Currant Looks Like
The Moreno currant is a type of shrub. It usually grows upright, reaching about 1 to 2.5 meters tall. That's like being as tall as a person or a bit taller!
Stems and Leaves
Its stems feel fuzzy and sticky. They don't have any sharp spines or prickles. The leaves are thick and covered in tiny hairs. Each leaf is about 4 to 6 centimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) long. They are usually round and split into three parts. The edges of the leaves look wrinkled and have tiny, sticky teeth.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the Moreno currant grow in a tight, upright cluster. This cluster is called a raceme. It can have up to 25 flowers! Each flower is shaped a bit like a tube. It has five pinkish-purple parts called sepals. These sepals have dark veins and spread out at the ends. Inside, there are smaller, pale purple petals.
After the flowers bloom, they turn into fruit. The fruit is a purple berry. It's quite small, about half a centimeter (0.2 inches) wide. The berry is also covered in tiny hairs.
