Sonchus lobatiflorus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sonchus lobatiflorus |
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The Sonchus lobatiflorus is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes plants like daisies and sunflowers. This plant is also known by an older name, Dendroseris gigantea.
This plant is very rare because it is endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands. This means it naturally grows only in these islands and nowhere else in the world. Sadly, the Sonchus lobatiflorus is in danger. There is only one known plant left in the wild on Selkirk Island. People are trying to help by planting more of them on Robinson Crusoe Island. The biggest threat to this plant is habitat loss, which means its natural home is being destroyed.
About the Name of This Plant
Plants often get new scientific names as scientists learn more about them. The Sonchus lobatiflorus was first described in 1896 by a scientist named Federico Johow. He called it Dendroseris gigantea.
For a long time, scientists thought the Dendroseris group of plants only grew on the Juan Fernández Islands. But in 2012, new studies looked closely at the plants' DNA. These studies showed that Dendroseris plants were actually part of a larger group called Sonchus.
Because of this discovery, all the Dendroseris plants were moved into the Sonchus group. However, there was already a plant named Sonchus giganteus. So, to avoid confusion, the plant needed a new name. That's why it was given the replacement name Sonchus lobatiflorus.
More Information
- Why Robinson Crusoe Island is at Risk [1]
See also
In Spanish: Dendroseris gigantea para niños
