Santa Cruz Island winged rockcress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz Island winged rockcress |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sibara
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| Species: |
filifolia
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| Synonyms | |
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Arabis filifolia |
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Sibara filifolia, also known as the Santa Cruz Island winged rockcress, is a very special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes plants like broccoli and cabbage. This plant is endemic to the Channel Islands of California. This means it naturally grows only in these islands and nowhere else in the world!
Once, Sibara filifolia grew on Santa Cruz Island and possibly other Channel Islands. However, wild goats and pigs caused it to disappear from those places. For a while, people thought the plant was completely gone, or extinct. But in 1986, small groups of these plants were found again! In 1995, experts estimated there were only about 500 individual plants left. Because it was so rare, the United States government listed it as an endangered species in 1997. This means it is protected by law to help it survive. Two other rare Channel Islands plants, Cercocarpus traskiae and Lithophragma maximum, were also listed at the same time.
What Does Sibara Filifolia Look Like?
Sibara filifolia is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It has a smooth stem that can grow up to about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall. Sometimes, the stem might look a bit waxy.
Leaves and Flowers
- Leaves: The leaves of this plant are very thin, almost like tiny strands of thread. They are less than a millimeter wide and grow to about 1.5 centimeters (half an inch) long.
- Flowers: Each flower has four petals that are shaped like small spoons. They are a pretty lavender color and are only a few millimeters long.
- Fruit: After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a flat, long fruit called a silique. This fruit can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long and holds many tiny seeds inside.
Where Does Sibara Filifolia Live?
Sibara filifolia grows in a special type of plant community called coastal sage scrub. This habitat is found on two islands off the coast of southern California. These islands are San Clemente Island and Catalina Island. The plant needs this specific environment to grow and thrive.
