Paysonia stonensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paysonia stonensis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Paysonia
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| Species: |
stonensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Lesquerella stonensis |
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Paysonia stonensis (also called the Stones River bladderpod) is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family, known as Brassicaceae. This plant is found only in one place: Rutherford County, Tennessee, in the United States. It grows mainly in the areas near the Stones River and its smaller streams that sometimes flood.
What it Looks Like
The Stones River bladderpod is a plant that lives for about one year. It has stems that stand straight up, growing about 20 to 40 centimeters tall. That's like 8 to 16 inches! The stems and leaves are very hairy.
The leaves at the bottom of the plant are shaped like lobes and can be up to six centimeters long. Leaves higher up on the stem are shorter and have small teeth on their edges. These upper leaves wrap around the stem where they connect.
The flowers of this plant have white petals. The bottom part of each petal is yellow and narrow. These flowers also have a nice smell. After the flowers, the plant grows small, round fruits called silicles. These fruits hold tiny seeds inside.
This plant looks a lot like another species called Paysonia perforata. You can tell them apart by looking closely at the hairs on their fruits.
How it Grows and Lives
The Stones River bladderpod grows in areas that sometimes flood. These floods can naturally stir up the soil. Human activities, like farming, can also disturb the ground.
When the soil is turned over, it creates fresh spots for the plants to grow. The plant has a "seed bank" in the soil. This means many seeds can wait in the ground for a long time. They can stay alive in the soil for at least six years!
New plants start to grow when the weather is just right. When temperatures get warm in spring and summer, it helps the seeds wake up. Then, in September and October, the seeds sprout. If the temperatures drop before they sprout, the seeds go back to sleep until the next warm season.
Protecting the Stones River Bladderpod
The number of Stones River bladderpod plants can change a lot each year. In good years, there might be up to 20 different groups of them. However, it is only truly established in two main spots.
One big problem for this plant is losing its home. Its habitat can be turned into houses or other buildings. Agencies like the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are working to protect this plant. They help make sure the natural flooding and soil disturbance cycles continue. These cycles are important because they create the perfect conditions for the Stones River bladderpod to grow and thrive.
