San Clemente Island bushmallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Clemente Island bushmallow |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Malacothamnus
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| Species: |
clementinus
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The San Clemente Island bushmallow (Malacothamnus clementinus) is a special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family. You can only find this plant on San Clemente Island, which is one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California. It grows in rocky canyons near the sea.
In 1977, this plant was in great danger. It was listed as a federally endangered species. This meant it was protected by law because it was close to disappearing forever. Wild goats on the island were eating the plants, which made the problem worse.
Good news! The goats were removed from the island in the 1990s. The United States Navy started a special program to help the bushmallow. Because of these efforts, the plant is now recovering well. There are over 80 groups of these plants, with more than 1,500 individual plants. Experts have even suggested that its status might be changed from "endangered" to "threatened" because it's doing so much better.
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What is the San Clemente Island Bushmallow?
The San Clemente Island bushmallow is a shrub that grows in a bushy shape. It has many thin branches. These branches are covered in long, soft hairs.
How Big Does it Get?
This plant can grow to be about 40 centimeters (about 1.3 feet) to one meter (about 3.3 feet) tall.
What Do Its Leaves and Flowers Look Like?
Its leaves are dark green and rounded. They are several centimeters long and have sharp, divided edges. The plant produces clusters of flowers that look like spikes. These flowers are usually pale pink, lavender, or almost white. Each flower has petals that are a few millimeters long and are somewhat pointed.
How Does the Bushmallow Grow?
The San Clemente Island bushmallow rarely makes fertile seeds. This means it doesn't often grow new plants from seeds. Instead, it mostly spreads using rhizomes. Rhizomes are special underground stems. They can grow new shoots and roots, helping the plant spread and create new plants nearby.
Saving the San Clemente Island Bushmallow
Even though the bushmallow is recovering, it still faces some challenges.
What Threats Remain?
- Competition from other plants: Some plants that were brought to the island from other places can compete with the bushmallow for space and resources.
- Wildfires: Fires can destroy the plants and their habitat.
- Erosion: The soil can wash away, especially in the steep canyons where the plant lives.
- Military activities: The United States Navy uses parts of the island for training. This can sometimes damage the landscape where the bushmallow grows.
How is it Being Protected?
The Navy continues to manage the island to protect the bushmallow. Their efforts have been very successful in helping this unique plant survive and thrive.
