Scadden Flat checkerbloom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scadden Flat checkerbloom |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sidalcea
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| Species: |
stipularis
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Sidalcea stipularis, also known as the Scadden Flat checkerbloom, is a very special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, which includes other familiar plants like hibiscus. This plant is unique because it grows naturally in only a few places in the world.
This rare plant is found only in Nevada County in eastern California. It grows in the Sierra Nevada foothills, near a town called Grass Valley. You can find it in wet, marshy areas, which are like small swamps or bogs. There are only two known spots where this plant lives on Scadden Flat.
Contents
What Does Scadden Flat Checkerbloom Look Like?
The Scadden Flat checkerbloom is a plant that comes back every year. It grows from a special underground stem called a rhizome. Think of a rhizome like a root that can spread out and grow new plants.
Plant Structure and Size
This plant can grow up to about 65 centimeters tall. That's almost as tall as a typical school desk! Its stem is covered in tiny, stiff hairs, which makes it feel a bit bristly.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the checkerbloom are oval-shaped and don't have any deep cuts or lobes. They grow on small stalks called petioles and are spaced out along the stem. Near each leaf, there are small leaf-like parts called stipules.
The flowers grow in a tight bunch at the top of the stem, almost like a small head. This cluster of flowers is surrounded by a cup-shaped ring of hairy leaves called bracts. Each flower has five pretty pink petals, and each petal is about 1.5 centimeters long.
Why Is This Plant Important?
The Scadden Flat checkerbloom is a very rare plant, and it needs our help to survive. Plants like this are important because they are part of the natural balance of our planet. They provide homes and food for insects and other small creatures.
Protecting This Rare Plant
One big problem for the Scadden Flat checkerbloom is an unwanted plant called Himalayan blackberry. This blackberry grows very fast and can take over the checkerbloom's habitat, leaving no room for it to grow.
Another challenge is that one of the plant's homes is right next to a busy road. This means there's a lot of activity from the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), which can disturb the plant's habitat.
Conservation Status
Even though it's very rare, the Scadden Flat checkerbloom doesn't have protection from the United States government. However, the state of California has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's against the law to harm or collect this plant without special permission from the California Department of Fish and Game. This rule helps to protect the plant and make sure it can continue to grow in its natural home.
