Santa Cruz Island fringepod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz Island fringepod |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thysanocarpus
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| Species: |
conchuliferus
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Thysanocarpus conchuliferus is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family. People often call it the Santa Cruz Island fringepod. This plant grows only on Santa Cruz Island. This island is part of the Channel Islands of California. It has been seen in only one place there recently. Some years, it does not appear at all.
This plant is listed as an endangered species by the United States government. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. A review in 2009 suggested it should stay on this list.
Contents
What is the Santa Cruz Island Fringepod?
This plant is a delicate annual herb. This means it lives for only one year. It grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies. Its stems are thin and waxy. They grow up to about 20 centimeters long. That's about the length of a regular pencil.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the fringepod are long and narrow. Some have jagged edges or small lobes. The base of the leaf wraps around the stem.
The flowers grow in a tight cluster called a raceme. Each flower has four spoon-shaped petals. These petals are usually white or purple. They are very tiny, about 2 millimeters long. That's smaller than a grain of rice!
Unique Fruit
The fruit of the Santa Cruz Island fringepod is special. It is flat and round, like a small disc. It has a fringed edge. This edge often has small holes in it. This unique fruit gives the plant its common name, "fringepod."
Where Does it Live?
The Santa Cruz Island fringepod lives in a special place. Its home is the coastal scrub habitat. This means it grows on rocky, windy slopes and canyons. These areas are found on Santa Cruz Island.
Why is it Endangered?
Many things have made this plant endangered. These are called threats.
Animal Threats
One big threat was animals eating the plants. These were not native animals. They were non-native animals like feral pigs. Feral pigs caused a lot of damage to many rare plants. Luckily, all the feral pigs have now been removed from the Channel Islands.
Plant Competition
Other plants also threaten the fringepod. These are often non-native and weedy plants. They compete for space, water, and sunlight. An example is ice plant (Carpobrotus spp.).
Other Dangers
- Collecting: Some people picked or trampled these rare plants. This was done by collectors.
- Fire Suppression: Stopping natural fires can also be a problem. Some plants need fire to clear old growth. This helps new seeds grow.
- Climate Change: Changes in the Earth's climate can affect the plant's habitat. This can make it harder for the plant to survive.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the Santa Cruz Island fringepod.
