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.
| Santa Catalina Island mountain-mahogany | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Cercocarpus |
| Species: | C. traskiae |
| Binomial name | |
| Cercocarpus traskiae | |
| Natural range of Cercocarpus traskiae | |
Distribution edit
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,[2] found in Wild Boar Gully, an arroyo covered in coastal sage scrub on Catalina Island.[3] The steep sides of the arroyo contain soils of saussurite gabbro.[2][3]
It was rare at the time of its discovery by Blanche Trask in 1897[4] or 1898,[2] when about 40[4] to 50[2] plants were counted.[3]
When it was federally listed as an endangered species, in 1996, there were only six mature plants remaining.[2] It has been called "one of the rarest shrubs in the continental United States"[4] and "one of the rarest trees in North America."[3]
Description edit
Cercocarpus traskiae is a large shrub or tree that grows up to 8 meters 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.[5] The inflorescence is a cluster of up to 10 flowers which do not have petals. Plants do not always flower each year.[3]
While there are sometimes many seedlings noted, the seedling survival rate and rate of recruitment are quite low.[3] 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.[3]
Conservation edit
The Catalina Island mountain mahogany is threatened by ungulates such as deer, and feral goats and pigs.[3] Introduced goats have been removed from the island. Introduced Mule deer remain on Catalina Island and may threaten the survival of the species.[6] Fencing has been placed to prevent the remaining animals from touching the plants.[3]
This rare species hybridizes with its relative, Cercocarpus betuloides, a situation that may lead to genetic swamping of the rare plant.[5] This hybridization may be made more likely by the animals' disturbance of the habitat.[3] Many of the seedlings and saplings growing today may be hybrids.[3]
The population of pure Cercocarpus traskiae is not increasing and the species is entirely dependent on human intervention today.[3][1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Cercocarpus traskiae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T37562A10058133. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T37562A10058133.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Comprehensive Report Species - Cercocarpus traskiae". NatureServe. The Nature Conservancy. August 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l USFWS. Cercocarpus traskiae Five Year Review. September 2007.
- ^ a b c . Center for Plant Conservation, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. March 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ a b Rieseberg, L. H. and D. Gerber. (1995). Hybridization in the Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae): RAPD evidence. September 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Conservation Biology 9:1 199.
- ^ Stapp, Paul; Hamblen, Emily; Duncan, Calvin L.; King, Julie L. (2022). "Status of the Introduced Mule Deer Population on Catalina Island, California, Based on Annual Spotlight Counts". Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference.
External links edit
- Calflora: Cercocarpus traskiae (Catalina Island mountain mahogany)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Cercocarpus traskiae[permanent dead link]
- UC Photos gallery — Cercocarpus traskiae