Florida jujube facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida jujube |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ziziphus
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| Species: |
celata
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The Ziziphus celata, also known as the Florida jujube or Florida ziziphus, is a special flowering plant. It grows only in central Florida, USA. This plant is very rare and is almost extinct.
Contents
What Does the Florida Jujube Look Like?
The Florida jujube is a small, spiky bush. It usually grows to be less than 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall.
In winter, it grows tiny green flowers. These flowers smell really nice! By spring, it has yellow-orange fruits. They are about the size of a grape.
Where Does the Florida Jujube Live?
Today, this plant is found in only eight places. There are only a few different types of these plants left.
How Was It Discovered?
The first time anyone knew about this plant was in 1948. A dried plant sample was found near Sebring, Florida. The person who found it, Ray Garrett, didn't write down the exact spot. Because no living plants were found, people thought the Florida jujube was extinct.
In 1984, scientists W.S. Judd and D.W. Hall officially named and described the plant. Many botanists (plant scientists) looked for it, but couldn't find it.
Rediscovery of the Plant
Then, in 1987, a Florida botanist named Kris R. DeLaney rediscovered the plant! He later found two more groups of these plants. One group had only a single large plant. The other had several dozen plants spread out in a large cow pasture.
In April 2007, Brett Miley, an ecologist, found the most recent group. This group was in its natural sandhill home.
The Florida jujube is still very close to disappearing forever. Of the eight known groups of plants, four are in old pastures. Three are in damaged areas. Only one group is in its natural habitat.
Why Is Its Home Disappearing?
Most of central Florida's natural wild lands are gone. People have built many farms and towns. This has destroyed Florida's natural places. It has pushed many native plants and animals to the edge of extinction.
Because so much of their home is gone, many plants have lost their ability to adapt and survive. The Ziziphus celata is listed as an endangered species in the United States. This means it is protected by law because it is in danger of dying out.
