Santa Catalina Island mountain-mahogany | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Cercocarpus |
Species: | C. traskiae
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Binomial name | |
Cercocarpus traskiae | |
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.
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]
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]
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]