Pine Hill ceanothus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Hill ceanothus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
|
| Species: |
roderickii
|
Ceanothus roderickii is a very special and rare type of shrub. It's also known as the Pine Hill ceanothus. This plant grows only in a small area of western El Dorado County, California. You can find it in the chaparral (a type of shrubland) and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills. A good place to see it is the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve. It was named after a famous plant explorer and botanist named Wayne Roderick.
What Does Pine Hill Ceanothus Look Like?
This rare shrub usually grows wide and flat, like a low mat or tangled bush. It can spread out up to about 3 meters (10 feet) wide. Its grayish-brown stems grow along the ground. As they grow, they can even root into the soil, helping the plant spread.
The leaves of this plant are tiny and stay green all year round. They grow in pairs opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf is only about one centimeter (less than half an inch) long. They are shaped like a wide spear. Their edges are usually smooth, but sometimes they have small teeth near the tip. The top of the leaf is green and smooth, while the underside feels a bit fuzzy or woolly.
When it blooms, the plant produces small groups of flowers. These flowers are white or a very light blue color. After the flowers, small fruits grow. These fruits are like little capsules, about half a centimeter long. Sometimes, they have tiny horn-like bumps on top.
Where Does Pine Hill Ceanothus Live?
The Pine Hill ceanothus is very particular about where it grows. It is found almost only on special soils. These soils come from a type of rock called gabbro. This specific soil is found in the Pine Hill Geological Formation.
Because it is so rare and only grows in certain places, Ceanothus roderickii is listed as an endangered species by the government. This means it is protected by law because it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
Protecting Pine Hill Ceanothus
Scientists first collected this endangered plant in 1956 near Shingle Springs, California. Today, it faces several dangers that make it hard for it to survive.
One big threat is how we manage wildfires. This plant actually needs fire to help its seeds grow and reproduce. When fires are stopped, the plant can't reproduce as well. Other threats include off-road vehicles that can damage the plants. Road maintenance and new construction also harm its habitat. Building new homes and businesses also takes away the land where it lives.
Sadly, there are only about ten to twenty groups of these plants left in the wild. Protecting these remaining groups is very important to keep the Pine Hill ceanothus from vanishing.
