Spring Creek bladderpod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spring Creek bladderpod |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Paysonia
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| Species: |
perforata
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| Synonyms | |
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Lesquerella perforata |
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Paysonia perforata, also known as the Spring Creek bladderpod, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family. This plant grows only in Tennessee in the United States, specifically in Wilson County. It is in danger because its home, called its habitat, is being lost and damaged. Because it is so rare and threatened, the government has listed it as an endangered species.
Contents
What Does the Spring Creek Bladderpod Look Like?
This plant is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one growing season. It usually stands straight up and grows to be about 10 to 15 centimeters (about 4 to 6 inches) tall.
Its leaves are shaped a bit like ears, called auriculate. They can be up to 5 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are often toothed or lobed, and they usually have tiny hairs on them.
The flowers of the Spring Creek bladderpod have petals that are white or light purple. These petals often have a yellow tint near their base. After the flowers, the plant produces a special type of fruit called a silique. This fruit looks like an inflated, papery pod and is about half a centimeter wide.
This plant is very similar to another rare Tennessee plant, Paysonia stonensis. The main difference between them is how the hairs are arranged on their fruits.
Where Does This Plant Live and How Does It Grow?
The Spring Creek bladderpod only grows in a special area of Tennessee called the Central Basin. All 21 known places where it grows are in Wilson County. Most of these spots are found along the floodplains of two or three creeks. These creeks are all within about five miles of Lebanon.
This plant is perfectly suited for areas that flood often. When the creeks swell with water, they create a "scouring" action. This means the floodwaters clear away other plants like perennial grasses and large woody plants. This clearing helps the bladderpod grow because it removes other plants that would compete for space and sunlight.
How Farming Affects the Plant
Many parts of these floodplains have been turned into farmland. When farmers plow the soil, it creates a disturbance similar to the natural flooding. This can actually help the bladderpod.
Some farming methods don't harm the plant. For example, if farmers wait to plow until late spring, the bladderpod has already finished its life cycle. Its fruits are mature and have released their seeds, usually in late April and early May.
However, other farming methods, like no-till farming, are not good for this plant. No-till farming means the soil isn't disturbed much, which the bladderpod needs to grow well. Also, if the soil is plowed too early in the year, before the plant has grown up and made seeds, it can stop the plant from spreading.
The soil in these floodplains is silty, and it sits on top of limestone rock. The bladderpod can be found in natural floodplains as well as in farm fields and pastures.
Why Is the Spring Creek Bladderpod Endangered?
The Spring Creek bladderpod is in danger for several reasons. One problem is that if its habitat isn't disturbed enough, larger plants can start to grow there. These bigger plants can crowd out the smaller annual bladderpod plants.
However, the biggest threat is that its habitat is being completely destroyed. This is happening because of new homes, shops, and factories being built. New roads, water pipes, and sewer lines also take up space. The area where this plant lives is near the Nashville metropolitan area, which is growing very quickly.
Because of these serious threats, the United States government has added the Spring Creek bladderpod to its endangered species list. This means it needs special protection to survive.
