- Cercocarpus traskiae
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Cercocarpus traskiae 
Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Genus: Cercocarpus Species: C. traskiae Binomial name Cercocarpus traskiae
Eastw.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 the Channel Islands of California in the United States, where it is known from just a single population.[1] It was rare when it was first discovered in 1897[2] or 1898,[1] when about 40[2] to 50[1] plants were counted. When it was federally listed as an endangered species in 1996 there were only six mature plants remaining.[1] It has been called "one of the rarest shrubs in the continental United States"[2] and "one of the rarest trees in North America."[3]
The plants are all located in Wild Boar Gully on Santa Catalina Island, an arroyo covered in coastal sage scrub.[3] The steep sides of the arroyo contain soils of saussurite gabbro.[1][3]
This 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.[4] 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]
The tree is threatened by ungulates such as deer and feral goats and pigs.[3] The goats have been removed and 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.[4] 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 C. traskiae is not increasing and the species is entirely dependent on human intervention today.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Comprehensive Report Species - Cercocarpus traskiae". NatureServe. The Nature Conservancy. Last updated August 2010. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Cercocarpus+traskiae. Retrieved January 2011.
- ^ a b c "National Collection of Imperiled Plants - Plant Profile: Cercocarpus traskiae". Center for Plant Conservation, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. Last updated March 2010. http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=872. Retrieved January 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k USFWS. Cercocarpus traskiae Five Year Review. September 2007.
- ^ a b Rieseberg, L. H. and D. Gerber. (1995). Hybridization in the Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae): RAPD evidence. Conservation Biology 9:1 199.
External links
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Cercocarpus traskiae. 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 30 January 2011.
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Photo gallery
Categories:- IUCN Red List critically endangered species
- Dryadeae
- Flora of the Channel Islands of California
- Endemic flora of California
- Flora of California chaparral and woodlands
- Critically endangered flora of California
- NatureServe Critically Imperiled species
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