Cercocarpus traskiae

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Santa Catalina Island mountain-mahogany
File:Cercocarpustraskiae.JPG
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Cercocarpus
Species:
C. traskiae
Binomial name
Cercocarpus traskiae
File:Cercocarpus traskiae range map 2.png
Natural range of Cercocarpus traskiae

Cercocarpus traskiae, known by the common names Santa Catalina Island mountain-mahogany and Catalina mahogany, is a rare species of plant in the rose family.

Distribution

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It is endemic to Catalina Island, one of the southern Channel Islands in Los Angeles County, California. It is known from just a single population,[4] found in Wild Boar Gully, an arroyo covered in coastal sage scrub on Catalina Island.[5] The steep sides of the arroyo contain soils of saussurite gabbro.[4][5]

It was rare at the time of its discovery by Blanche Trask in 1897[6] or 1898,[4] when about 40[6] to 50[4] plants were counted.[5]

When it was proposed for federal listing as an endangered species, in 1996, there were only six mature plants remaining.[4] It has been called "one of the rarest shrubs in the continental United States"[6] and "one of the rarest trees in North America."[5]

Description

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Cercocarpus traskiae is a large shrub or tree that grows up to 8 metres (26 ft) in height. The leaves have thick, leathery oval blades with serrated edges and woolly-haired undersides. The leathery, woolly texture of the leaves distinguishes it from other Cercocarpus.[7] The inflorescence is a cluster of up to 10 flowers which do not have petals. Plants do not always flower each year.[5]

While there are sometimes many seedlings noted, the seedling survival rate and rate of recruitment are quite low.[5] As of 2007, there are only seven adult trees capable of reproduction, all located in Wild Boar Gully, and most of these are very old.[5]

Conservation

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The Catalina Island mountain mahogany is threatened by ungulates such as deer, and feral goats and pigs.[5] Introduced goats have been removed from the island. Introduced mule deer remain on Catalina Island and may threaten the survival of the species.[8] Fencing has been placed to prevent the remaining animals from touching the plants.[5]

This rare species hybridizes with its relative, Cercocarpus betuloides, a situation that may lead to genetic swamping of the rare plant.[7] This hybridization may be made more likely by the animals' disturbance of the habitat.[5] Many of the seedlings and saplings growing today may be hybrids.[5]

The population of pure Cercocarpus traskiae is not increasing and the species is entirely dependent on human intervention today.[1][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ 62 FR 42692
  4. ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l USFWS. Cercocarpus traskiae Five Year Review. September 2007.
  6. ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ a b Rieseberg, L. H. and D. Gerber. (1995). Hybridization in the Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae): RAPD evidence. Archived September 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Conservation Biology 9:1 199.
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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