The term “rare plant” is a term used to describe a native plant which is a rare species or one which is not found in sufficient numbers to be classified as a common or widespread species. In some cases, these plants are listed as Endangered (E) or native plants taxon. Alternatively, they may be a member of a group of vegetation communities that are known to be home to a number of Rare Plant.
Eriogonum ovalifolium
Eriogonum ovalifolium is a widely distributed plant with many intergrading subspecies. The species is federally endangered in the United States. However, some varieties are in cultivation. These make excellent additions to rock gardens. Several Eriogonum varieties have varying leaf blades and perianth lobes.
The most common form of Eriogonum ovalifolium occurs in western Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and California. This variety has densely tomentose leaves and white wooly matted hairs on the stems.
The White Mountains Eriogonum is a very attractive variety. It is an ideal rock garden plant. Variations in this taxon include those that have white lanate leaves and smaller perianth lobes, and those that have petals that are rose to purple.
Helianthus nuttallii ssp. parishii
Species that are ranked in the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare Plants are considered likely extirpated in California. Rank is determined by threat, rarity, and geographic range. This ranking is used to help prioritize conservation efforts. The Natural Communities Coalition Reserve System includes Orange County.
A number of coastal rare plants are threatened by sea level rise, flooding, dune erosion, and cliff erosion. They are also susceptible to habitat fragmentation. Urban areas, roads, and trails also create habitat fragmentation. Hence, land managers are faced with the challenge of managing the habitat of these species.
Dragon Blood Tree
The Dragon Blood Tree is a species of tree that originated in the Mediterranean basin. It has a unique umbrella-shaped canopy that protects the roots of the plants from moisture. As a result, it can survive on dry and arid areas.
This is a very rare tree, which is found in the Socotra archipelago of Yemen. Although it has a history of commercial use, it is becoming endangered and is in need of protection.
The Dragon Blood Tree has an unusual shape and it looks like a tree-mushroom. Its name is derived from the reddish resin produced when it is damaged or cut. In ancient times, it was used for healing, magic, and to color wood. Today, the tree is used for its medicinal and cosmetic properties.
Serpentine aster
A Serpentine aster is a rare and endemic plant. Its small, white, daisy-like flowers appear on thin, stemless leaves. The aster is a succulent, adapted to serpentine soils. Despite its diminutive size, it is also a weed, with a thick covering of hair that prevents wilting during summer droughts.
Previously, this species was found in acidic Coastal Plain soils, but it is now restricted to isolated rock outcrops. Currently, it can be seen in a few sites in Pennsylvania.
This is one of the few endemic species found in Pennsylvania. Its population is threatened by overbrowsing by deer. In the past, it flourished in five locations, but it has been locally extirpated.
Swamp lousewort
Swamp lousewort is a herbaceous wetland wildflower. It grows in wet calcareous bogs and fresh tidal marshes. In the northern half of Illinois, this rare plant occurs only occasionally.
Although it is not a native plant, swamp lousewort is common throughout midwestern states. In fact, it is often confused with its close relative wood betony. This is because they have similar-looking leaves. However, swamp lousewort is taller and more upright.
Swamp lousewort has a rhizomatous root system that forms vegetative offsets. The plant is hemiparasitic, meaning that it parasitizes other plants. The roots extract water from nearby plants, and the seed capsules contain numerous tiny seeds.
Endangered (E) native plant taxon
An endangered (E) native plant taxon is a species that is likely to be lost within a particular region of the country. There are several reasons why the aforementioned plant may become endangered, such as loss of habitat, over-collecting, competition with other species, or disease. In the case of an endangered native plant, there is generally little hope for survival, but there are some exceptions.
The inventory of rare and endangered plants in Ohio has recently been expanded. This list is compiled by the Ohio Biological Survey, which has been updating its status lists biennially since 1980. Among the six44 taxa listed in the database, thirteen species have been deemed endangered. These include Carex livida, which is found in the US and Canada, and Mimulus latifolius, which is only present in Baja California.
Other vegetation communities that are home to rare plants
Rare Plants in Orange County are protected in the Natural Communities Coalition Reserve System. This system was established under California’s Habitat Conservation Plan to protect the habitats of sensitive species. There are multiple stakeholders in this system, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Natural Communities Coalition, the US Bureau of Land Management and other organizations.
There are currently 4490 rare plant occurrences within the NCC Reserve. Among these are 65 rare species. Approximately half of these occur in the coastal sage scrub vegetation community. The remaining species are found in non-native annual grassland, chaparral, and saltmarsh.
