Swamp pink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp pink |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Helonias
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| Species: |
bullata
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Helonias bullata (also known as swamp pink) is a special and rare plant found in the eastern United States. It's the only plant of its kind in the Helonias group! Even though it might look small above ground, it has a very big root system hidden beneath the soil.
Swamp pink flowers bloom from March to May. They are fragrant and bright pink, growing in a cluster on a tall stem that can reach up to 3 feet high. The plant has green leaves that stay green all year. These leaves are shaped like a spear and have lines running side-by-side. They grow in a circle at the base of the plant.
Swamp pink is considered a federally threatened species. This means it's protected by the government because its numbers are very low. Long ago, you could find swamp pink from Staten Island in New York all the way to the southern Appalachian Mountains. Today, New Jersey has the most swamp pink plants. You can also find them in six other states: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. There might even be some still growing on Staten Island.
Sometimes, people illegally take swamp pink plants from their natural homes. They might want the pretty pink flowers for themselves. But these plants usually don't survive after being moved. This is because they need a very specific wet environment. Their roots are also much bigger than people expect, making them hard to move safely.
To help protect swamp pink, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service started a program called “Adopt-a-Swamp-Pink Population.” Volunteers help keep an eye on the plants. A group called Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. also helps with this program. The information collected by volunteers helps scientists understand and protect swamp pink.
Contents
Where Does Swamp Pink Live?
Swamp pink grows in wet areas called wetlands. It needs soil that is always wet, but not completely covered in water. The best place for it is where the water level is just at the top of its roots, but not covering its leaves.
You can often find swamp pink in wet forests next to small streams. It also grows in wet meadows and areas where springs bubble up from the ground. It is often found near pine trees and other cone-bearing trees.
Why is Swamp Pink Special?
How Seeds Travel
Swamp pink seeds have a special oily coating. This helps them float and travel through water. This is very helpful because the plant lives in wet places like swamps. Traveling by water helps the seeds spread far away. Ants also help move swamp pink seeds around.
Why Genetic Diversity Matters
Many groups of swamp pink plants have low genetic diversity. This means the plants in these groups are very similar to each other. This can happen when plants mostly fertilize themselves instead of mixing their genes with other plants. It can also happen if seeds don't spread very far.
When plants have low genetic diversity, it can be risky. If the environment suddenly changes, like a new disease appears, the whole group of plants might be in danger. If all the plants are too similar, they might all be affected in the same way.
Over time, seeds that attract animals to carry them might become more common. This is because animals can spread seeds over a larger area. This helps plants mix their genes more, which increases genetic diversity and makes the plant stronger against changes.
Protecting Swamp Pink
The bright pink flowers of Helonias are very beautiful. This makes them attractive to people who might try to take them illegally. Since swamp pink plants live through the winter, they are visible for a longer time. This makes them easier for poachers to find. Illegal poaching is one of the main reasons why swamp pink is a threatened species. Protecting these special plants helps keep them safe for the future.
See also
In Spanish: Helonias bullata para niños
