San Anselmo navarretia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Anselmo navarretia |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Navarretia
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| Species: |
rosulata
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Navarretia rosulata is a special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the phlox family. People also call it the San Anselmo navarretia or Marin County pincushionplant.
Contents
Where Does This Plant Live?
This plant is very special because it only grows in California. You can find it in just a few places. These are Marin and Napa Counties. There are only about 20 known spots where it grows.
What Kind of Habitat Does It Like?
The San Anselmo navarretia lives in specific places. It likes chaparral and closed-cone pine forest areas. These are found in the Northern California Coast Ranges. It grows at elevations from about 200 to 600 meters (650 to 2,000 feet) high.
Why Is Its Soil Special?
This plant needs a special kind of rocky soil. It only grows in serpentine soil. This type of soil has unique minerals. Not many plants can grow well in it.
Why Is This Plant Protected?
Because it is so rare, Navarretia rosulata is an Endangered species. The California Native Plant Society lists it as a plant that needs protection. This means efforts are made to help it survive.
What Does This Plant Look Like?
Navarretia rosulata is a small plant. It is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one year. It can grow up to about 13 centimeters (5 inches) tall. The plant is covered in tiny hairs and glands.
Does It Have a Special Smell?
Yes, this plant has a unique smell. It is often described as having a "skunky" scent. This smell might help protect it from animals.
What About Its Leaves and Flowers?
The leaves of the plant are divided. They have many thin, linear parts. The flowers grow in a tight cluster. They are surrounded by leaf-like parts called bracts. The flowers are small, less than 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long. They can be white or lavender in color. You can see them bloom from May to July.
How Was This Plant Named?
For a while, scientists thought this plant was a subspecies. It was considered a part of another plant called Navarretia heterodoxa. Its full name was Navarretia heterodoxa ssp. rosulata.
When Did It Become Its Own Species?
In 1993, scientists studied it more closely. They decided it was different enough to be its own species. That's when it got its current name, Navarretia rosulata.
