Brickellia mosieri | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Brickellia |
Species: | B. mosieri |
Binomial name | |
Brickellia mosieri | |
Brickellia mosieri, the Florida brickell-bush, is a North American herbaceous plant [1] in the family Asteraceae. [2] It grows in Pine Rocklands in Florida, preferring low-nutrient sand close to sea level. [3] It is characterized by small, round, rod-shaped flowers that are either brown or white. [4] [5] Since 1999, the total population of the Florida brickell-bush has declined by 50% due to a number of threats. [6] [7] Currently, it is listed as "endangered wherever found" under the ESA (Endangered Species Act) [7]
Florida brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri) is classified as an herb, [1] meaning it does not have any woody structures above ground. On average adult plants grow between 30.5 – 107 cm (1-3.5 feet) tall. The stalk of the Florida brickell-bush is thin, branched and erect with leaves growing on alternating sides of the main stalk. Leaves are narrow in width, plump and 1 – 3 cm (0.4-1.2 inch) in length. The edges of leaves are either slightly or entirely serrated. Leaves typically have small, amber-colored dots. Flowers are white or brown, rod-shaped and arranged circularly around the stalk. The plant does not have typical flat flowers (see life history). [5]
For images, please see "MOSIER'S BRICKELL-BUSH" [4] in references.
The Florida brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri) is present during all seasons (perennial) [2] and has a long lifespan. [1] There is no information on the exact life expectancy of the plant. Reproduction occurs through pollination during an annual flowering period between August and October, though the flowering period may be year-round. [5] Seeds are typically carried away from the parent plant by wind, though animals likely also play a role. [8]
Flower petals are arranged in a symmetric circle around the end of stalks. The Florida brickell-bush does not have typically flattened petals (ray flowers), instead their flower petals have a rod-like shape. Typically, flowers are white but can sometimes be brown. The surrounding bracts are hairy and slightly ribbed. [5]
In general, plants with seeds that are resistant to being dried out and frozen can be protected easier since their seeds may be stored for longer periods of time when frozen. This allows the plant to be re-established from seeds. A study assessing dry and frost resistant qualities in various plants found that the seeds of the Florida brickell-bush cannot survive the drying process required to safely freeze plant seeds. Drying is required to prevent the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process, since ice crystals damage seeds. [1] This makes it impossible to safely freeze the seeds of the Florida brickell-bush for long-term storage.
No information is available on the age of sexual maturity, growth rate, or exact seed characteristics of the Florida brickell-bush.
The Florida brickell-bush is a plant and as such it is autotrophic and photosynthesizes to produce glucose (a type of sugar) that is used for nutrition. It needs the same essential nutrients in soil that most other plants need. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium. [8]
The Florida brickell-bush reproduces sexually (i.e. through pollination). The exact insect species which pollinate the Florida brickell-bush are unknown. Current theories have identified potential pollinators as native bees and butterflies. Bees are suspected to pollinate the Florida brickell-bush as they are important in pollinating other plants in Pine Rocklands where the Florida brickell-bush is found. Several species of butterflies are suspected as pollinators due to the shape of the Florida brickell-bush's flowers, which are suitable for pollination by bees, butterflies, or both [8]
The Florida brickell-bush is known to grow in low-nutrient sand close to sea level. This type of species requires wildfires to occur to keep the ground level vegetation alive. These wildfires occur at the beginning of the wet spring season and early summer. The Florida brickell-bush also benefits from the fires, which stop other plant species from growing in the same area and taking over. The fires prevent the elimination of this plant and are needed to burn trash and organic litter (leaves and other plants) to keep the area clean. The Florida brickell-bush is found in the Pine Rocklands with minimal disturbance. A study found that this plant grows in open shrub canopies which allow sunlight to reach this species. [3]
The Florida brickell-bush is found in the southeast region of the US, specifically Florida. The two counties it occurs in are Miami-Dade and Monroe County. It is mainly endemic to Pine Rocklands, found on the Miami Rock Ridge in central and southern Miami-Dade County - right outside of the everglades national park. Currently, the Florida brickell-bush ranges from approximately Kendall to Florida City. It is believed to occur at 17 different sites, with an additional 5 sites where it possibly occurs. [7] [6]
For a range map please see "Florida brickell-bush (Brickellia mosieri)" [7] in references.
There has been a great decline in the population size of the Florida brickell-bush which has led to it being listed as endangered. Because of the difficulty of surveying the amount of plants found, there is room for uncertainty. This is due to the Florida brickell-bush being hard to distinguish when not flowered. The largest population size found in 1999 was in the Larry and Penny Thompson Park. [3] In 2008 approximately 5,000 to 7,000 plants were found at this park. In 2011, in Miami-Dade County, approximately 31 to 45 plants were last found. [3] The total population in 2013 was between 2,150 and 3,700 plants. This population has reduced about 50% or more since 1999, and continues to decline. [6] [7]
The Florida brickell-bush was always found solely in Florida; however, it used to span far more of Florida. In the past, it grew in the further north of Florida, ranging from approximately Coconut Grove to Florida City. This range has unfortunately diminished more than 30%. Currently it only ranges from Kendall to Florida City. According to ECOS (Environmental Conservation Online System), the total population of the Florida brickell-bush has declined by 50% since 1999, leading to the decision to list it as endangered. [7] [6]
The primary threats to the Florida brickell-bush are habitat destruction, fragmentation, and modification due to development, fire suppression, invasive plants, and sea level rise.
Sea level rise is a significant threat to the Florida brickell-bush, as large areas of coastal and low-lying South Florida (where it is found) are predicted to flood, be lost to sea level rise in the next 100 years and become more vulnerable to storms. Sea level rising will damage and destroy coastal habitat and modify areas like Pine Rocklands where the Florida brickell-bush grows, causing catastrophic results for this plant.
Additionally, because the Florida brickell-bush has such a small population and such a limited range in Florida, it is extremely threatened by habitat destruction, modification, or fragmentation - whether this is through human development, poor fire management, or sea level rising.
Poor wildfire management greatly affected the Florida brickell-bush in 2014, the year it was listed as endangered - in fact, ECOS found that all occurrences of the species were affected by inadequate wildfire-management. Wildfires are important to the plant's survival, as it prevents other plants from taking over and keep the area clean of organic litter. But inadequate wildfire management can be extremely damaging. It can allow hardwoods to thrive, which then shade the Florida brickell-bush, and damage the Pine Rocklands area where the Florida brickell-bush is found.
The Florida brickell-bush is also threatened by invasive plants. The major plant species threatening it is Neyraudia reynaudiana (Burma reed), which competes with it. Burma reed grows rapidly and shades the Florida brickell-bush plant, posing a threat to its survival. It also monopolizes resources in the area, further damaging the growth of the Florida brickell-bush. [7] [6]
The Federal Register's final listing rule of the Florida brickell-bush as Endangered occurred October 6, 2014 in Florida. This was first petitioned on May 11, 2004, however, because there was no new information provided, there was no new submission after this date. [9]
The 5-year review is a document assessing the impacts of conservation actions on a species 5 years after it has originally been classified as endangered or threatened under the ESA. No 5-year review is currently available for the Florida brickell-bush. [10] However, a review has been initiated along with 52 other species on June 20, 2019. There are also no delisting documents published for the species, and it remains classified as "endangered wherever found". [7]
No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. [7]
The Santa Cruz cypress is a species of North American tree within the cypress family. The species is endemic to the Santa Cruz Mountains within the Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties of west-central California. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species on the Endangered Species Act in 1987 due to increasing threats from habitat loss and disruption of natural forest fire regimes. In 2016, the conservation status of the Santa Cruz cypress changed to Threatened. The cited reasoning was a decrease in threats against their habitat.
The Miami Rock Ridge is an oolitic, continuous outcrop of limestone, part of the Miami Formation, which formerly encompassed a large extent of southernmost South Florida; as part of an ecosystem it formed portions of the Everglades. The traditional base of the elevation, which rises 7 to 8.6 m above sea level, ranges from northern Miami-Dade County—the approximate latitude of North Miami Beach—southward to the upper Florida Keys and extends southwestward into Everglades National Park, creating a karst-dominated landscape.
Schwalbea americana, commonly known as American chaffseed, is the sole species currently classified in the genus Schwalbea. It is an erect, hemiparasitic, perennial herb in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States where it is found in wet acidic grasslands. This species has declined tremendously from its historical range due to fire suppression, development and collection, and it is currently listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Mauna Loa silversword, Argyroxiphium kauense, or Kaʻū silversword, is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family. It is endemic to the eastern and southern slopes of Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaiʻi. A. kauense occurs in mountainous shrublands, bogs, and open mesic forest. The species is managed by the National Park Service and Hawaiʻi State Department of Forestry and Wildlife. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. There are three known populations remaining, for a total of fewer than 1000 individuals.
Asimina tetramera, commonly known as the four-petal pawpaw, is a rare species of small tree or perennial shrub endemic to Martin and Palm Beach Counties in the state of Florida. The species is currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and as endangered by the International Union for Conservation. The four-petal pawpaw is part of the family Annonaceae alongside other Asimina species.
Arctomecon humilis is an endangered flowering plant species in the family Papaveraceae. It is endemic to the Dixie Corridor in southwest Utah. A. humilis grows in a very harsh desert environment, requiring a specific soil type. The plant's common name is dwarf bear-poppy, which is indicative of the plant's jagged, three “clawed” leaves. The poppy is a perennial plant, meaning it blooms annually. The dwarf bear-poppy is protected under the Endangered Species Act as of 1979. The plant is threatened by urban development, off-road vehicle use, and mining. Although hard to estimate, its population has diminished significantly over the years. There are several plans to protect the poppy, including making the land it occurs on a protected area.
Neyraudia reynaudiana, commonly known as Burma reed, silk reed, cane grass, or false reed, is a tall, perennial, large-plumed grass native to subtropical Asia, but invasive in southern Florida in the United States.
Tropical hardwood hammocks are closed canopy forests, dominated by a diverse assemblage of evergreen and semi-deciduous tree and shrub species, mostly of West Indian origin. Tropical hardwood hammocks are found in South Florida or the Everglades, with large concentrations on the Miami Rock Ridge, in the Florida Keys, along the northern shores of Florida Bay, and in the Pinecrest region of the Big Cypress Swamp.
Warea carteri is a species of plant in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, known by the common names Carter's pinelandcress and Carter's mustard. It is an endangered, fire-dependent annual herb occurring in xeric, shrub-dominated habitats on the Lake Wales Ridge of central Florida in the United States.
The South Florida rocklands ecoregion, in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome, occurs in southern Florida and the Florida Keys in the United States, where they would naturally cover an area of 2,100 km2 (810 sq mi). These forests form on limestone outcrops with very thin soil; the higher elevation separating them from other habitats such as coastal marshes and marl prairies. On mainland Florida, rocklands exist primarily on the Miami Rock Ridge, which extends from the Miami River south to Everglades National Park. South Florida rocklands are further divided into pine rocklands and rockland hammocks.
Euphorbia deltoidea is a species of flowering plant endemic to Florida in the United States. The taxonomy of the plant is difficult, with some authorities dividing it into four subspecies and some into three; also, it is frequently listed as a member of the old genus Chamaesyce. One subspecies, ssp. deltoidea, is a federally listed endangered species called deltoid spurge. It is found only in Miami-Dade County. Another subspecies, ssp. adhaerens, is often included with it under the name deltoidea instead of separately, making it difficult to keep count of how many endangered plants there are. This is generally dealt with by placing the "endangered species" label on any taxon within the species that is limited to Miami-Dade County, however many names they may have.
Dicerandra christmanii is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common names Garrett's mint, yellow scrub balm, and Lake Wales balm. It is endemic to Highlands County, Florida, in the United States, where it is known from only four sites on the Lake Wales Ridge. All are contained within a tract of land measuring 6 kilometers by 3 kilometers. The plant is steadily declining due to the destruction and degradation of its habitat, and only one of the four occurrences is on protected land. It is a federally listed endangered species.
Dicerandra frutescens is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common names scrub mint and scrub balm. It is endemic to Highlands County, Florida, where it is known only from the Lake Wales Ridge. Its habitat is quickly being lost as it is converted to residential and agricultural use. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1985.
Galactia smallii is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Small's milkpea. It is endemic to Florida, where it is known only from a few small patches of remaining habitat in Miami-Dade County. It is threatened by the destruction and inadequate management of its habitat. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 1985.
Lupinus aridorum is a rare species of lupine known by the common name scrub lupine. It is endemic to Florida in the United States, where there were 10 known populations remaining in 2003. Fewer than 6000 individual plants were counted. It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat. The scrub lupine is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Polygala lewtonii is a rare species of flowering plant in the milkwort family known by the common name Lewton's polygala, or Lewton's milkwort. It is endemic to Florida in the United States, where it is limited to the central ridge of the peninsula. There are about 49 occurrences of the plant remaining. Most occurrences contain very few plants. The species is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Polygala smallii is a rare species of flowering plant in the milkwort family known by the common name tiny polygala, or tiny milkwort. It is endemic to Florida in the United States, where it is limited to the southeastern coast of the peninsula. The plant is now only known from eight sites, with most individuals located on one site in Miami-Dade County. The species is threatened by the loss of its habitat. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Polygonum basiramia is a rare species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common names wireweed, hairy wireweed, purple wireweed, and Florida jointweed. It is endemic to Florida in the United States, where it is limited to the central ridges of the peninsula, including the Lake Wales Ridge. It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Rhus michauxii is a rare species of flowering plant in the cashew family known by the common names false poison sumac and Michaux's sumac. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it can be found in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat and by barriers to reproduction. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Sideroxylon reclinatum subsp. austrofloridense, known as the Everglades bully, is a species of rare plant native to southern Florida. It was described in 1990.