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
editIt 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
editCercocarpus 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
editThe 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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Carrero, C. (2022). "Cercocarpus traskiae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T37562A183451015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T37562A183451015.en. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Catalina Island mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ 62 FR 42692
- ^ a b c d e NatureServe (2 February 2024). "Cercocarpus traskiae". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l USFWS. Cercocarpus traskiae Five Year Review. September 2007.
- ^ a b c "National Collection of Imperiled Plants - Plant Profile: Cercocarpus traskiae". 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. Archived 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.