Streptanthus niger facts for kids
The Tiburon jewelflower (Streptanthus niger) is a very rare and endangered plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard plants. This special herb has wavy petals with small bumps called "calluses." These bumps help protect the plant from hungry insect larvae.
The Tiburon jewelflower only grows in one specific place: the Tiburon Peninsula in Northern California. It lives in grasslands on unique serpentine soils, usually not too high up (below 150 meters). It's also known as the black jewelflower.
This plant is an annual herb, meaning it grows from seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It blooms in May and June, showing off its dark purple sepals. The scientific name Streptanthus comes from ancient Greek words meaning "twisted flower." This describes its wavy petals. The species name niger means "black," likely referring to its dark seeds or dark petals.
Quick facts for kids Streptanthus niger |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Tiburon jewelflower | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Streptanthus
|
| Species: |
niger
|
Contents
What the Tiburon Jewelflower Looks Like
The Tiburon jewelflower is a plant that grows between 20 and 70 centimeters tall. That's about the height of a small child to a tall teenager! Its stem can be simple or have branches near the top. The lower parts of the stem are smooth and don't have much hair.
This plant mostly self-pollinates, meaning it can fertilize itself. Its flowers are a very dark purple, almost black. The petals have a purple base and a white tip with a purple line down the middle. The way the flowers grow in a zig-zag pattern is a special feature that helps identify it. Also, the flower's opening is almost closed. The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower bud, are about five to seven millimeters long.
The wavy edges of the petals have those special calluses. These bumps are like a shield, making it harder for insect larvae to eat the plant. The leaves of the Tiburon jewelflower grow from the bottom of the plant and are usually less than nine centimeters long. They are often shaped like a spoon and can have slightly toothed or lobed edges.
Where This Plant Lives
The Tiburon jewelflower is incredibly rare. There are only two known groups of these plants left in the world! Both of these groups are found on the Tiburon Peninsula, about three kilometers apart. One of the groups grows near a historic building called Old Saint Hilary's Church.
These plants need a very specific home. They only grow in grasslands that have shallow serpentine soils. These soils are special because they come from certain types of rocks found in the Coast Ranges. The Tiburon jewelflower has adapted over a long time to live in these unique soils and actually needs them to survive.
Protecting the Tiburon Jewelflower
The first time the Tiburon jewelflower was officially collected was in 1886 by a person named Edward L. Greene. He found it near Old Saint Hilary's Church. Because it's so rare, the state of California declared it an endangered species in 1990. Five years later, the U.S. federal government also listed it as endangered.
To help protect this plant, a "Species Recovery Plan" was created in 1998. This plan outlines specific steps to keep the Tiburon jewelflower safe. The number of plants in each of the two groups can change a lot, from as few as 25 to as many as 2000. This shows how delicate and at-risk the species is.
Scientists are working hard to save this plant. A professor from Mills College is doing a three-year research project to study how to best protect the Tiburon jewelflower. The California Native Plant Society has also listed it as a plant that is rare or endangered across its entire range.
Images for kids
-
Tiburon jewelflower
