Helichrysum gossypinum | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Helichrysum |
Species: | H. gossypinum |
Binomial name | |
Helichrysum gossypinum Sch. Bip. (1845) | |
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H. gossypinum is endemic to Lanzarote, Canary Islands. | |
Synonyms [2] | |
List
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Helichrysum gossypinum, also known as cotton wool everlasting or yellow tinderbox, is a species of flowering plant within the genus Helichrysum and family Asteraceae. [3] The species is endemic to the island of Lanzarote of the Canary Islands. Due to being an endemic species it can be found nowhere else in the world. The plant is characterized by its large vibrant yellow flowers and its ability to thrive in rocky habitats.
Helichrysum gossypinum is a basal flowering plant with a shrubby growth habit, which lacks rosettes and overwintering buds. [4] The inflorescence of Helichrysum gossypinum consists of heterogamous capitula, meaning that the gender ratio within each capitulum is not uniform. [4] Each capitulum is composed of numerous florets, which are the individual flowers within the inflorescence. [4] The inflorescence are large and yellow in colour, reaching a size of 6–8 mm in diameter. [5] H. gossypinum is a diploid plant with 2n = 28 chromosomes. [6]
Helichrysum gossypinum is endemic to Lanzarote, one of several Canary Islands located within the Atlantic Ocean off the Northwestern coast of Africa. [7] The species on the island is distributed across six subpopulations located in: El Jurado, Riscos de Famara, Barranco del Cuchillo, Barranco de Chafarís, Ladera de Tenegüime, and Malpaís del Sobaco. [7] The entire population of the species is spread between these six known subpopulations, with the overall population estimated at just over 7000 individuals. [7] H. gossypinum has a restricted range, inhabiting an area of occupancy measuring approximately 13.5 square kilometers. [7]
The habitat of Helichrysum gossypinum primarily consists of rocky areas such as inland cliffs, mountain peaks, ridges, and the slopes of ravines. [7] The habitat of H. gossypinum is geologically unstable and prone to landslides. Lanzarote consists of volcanic rock types and moderately alkaline soils. [8] H. gossypinum thrives in rupicolous communities, often coexisting with plant species such as Aeonium lancerottense and Reichardia famarae . [7]
Lanzarote is an island known for its mild and stable climate, with minimal variations in temperatures between summer and winter. The annual average temperature on the island is 20.7 °C (69.26 °F). [9] Over a 28-year period, the average rainfall has been estimated at 110 meters squared, although particularly dry years can result in a decrease of up to 25% in the amount of rainwater. [9] The majority of rainfall occurs between the months of November, December, and January, accounting for 57% of the annual precipitation. [9] Humidity levels on the island fluctuate throughout the day and night, influenced by air temperature. During the day, increased sunshine leads to higher humidity levels that do not reach saturation. However, during the night, as the air cools down, humidity reaches saturation and condenses into liquid water when it comes into contact with cold surfaces. This phenomenon contributes a significant amount of water to the ecosystem and provides H. gossypinum with water as a result. [9]
The species faces several threats that endanger its survival. Threats such as predation on seedlings by livestock poses a significant risk to the population. [7] Additionally, landslides, which are common in the geologically unstable habitat and can cause further damage to plants and their surroundings. [7] The island of Lanzarote is also home to the closely related, equally endemic and critically endangered species H. monogynum, which is capable of hybridization with H. gossypinum, harming the genetic integrity of both species. [7] Anthropogenic factors also contribute to the plants vulnerability, with both road construction and road works having been reported to negatively effect the species. [7]
Efforts to conserve Helichrysum gossypinum focus on the protection of its subpopulations. Subpopulations of H. gossypinum are located within protected areas, such as: Paisaje Protegido de La Geria, Paisaje Protegido Barranco de Tenegüime, and Parque Natural Archipiélago Chinijo. These protected areas help safeguard the species and its habitat from further harm and provide a sanctuary for its survival. [7]
In addition, the botanical garden Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo possesses a seed bank. Seeds of Helichrysum gossypinum were collected and are being stored within their repository, which serves as a valuable resource in preserving the genetic diversity of the species. [7]
Helichrysum gossypinum also holds significant recognition in international legislation. It has been designated as an important species and is included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Furthermore, it is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). In Spain, it is regarded as a species with "Protección Especial" and is featured in the national list of species under special protection. Additionally, it has been categorized as VU D2 in the Spanish Red List. [7]
The Canary Islands stonechat, also known as the Fuerteventura stonechat or Fuerteventura chat, and formerly known as the Canary Islands chat due to its once widespread distribution on the Canary Islands, is a sedentary resident bird found only on the island of Fuerteventura where it is known as the Caldereta.
The genus Helichrysum consists of an estimated 600 species of flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The type species is Helichrysum orientale. They often go by the names everlasting, immortelle, and strawflower. The name is derived from the Anicent Greek words ἥλιος and χρῡσός.
The Gnaphalieae are a tribe of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is most closely related to the tribes Anthemideae, Astereae, and Calenduleae.
The Canary Islands oystercatcher, Canarian oystercatcher, or Canarian black oystercatcher , was a shorebird of uncertain taxonomy endemic to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and their offshore islets in the Canary Islands in Spain. It is now considered to be extinct.
Sonchus brassicifolius, synonym Dendroseris litoralis, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy and sunflower family Asteraceae. It is a small evergreen tree species known as the cabbage tree. It is endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands, which lie in the southeast Pacific, off the west coast of Chile. It is native only to the tiny, volcanic Robinson Crusoe Island, home of the famed Juania australis and many other endemic plants. The species is threatened by habitat loss and has been brought back from the brink of extinction. It had been reduced to only a few individuals by feral goats on the island, and is still considered critically endangered.
Libinhania arachnoides, synonym Helichrysum arachnoides, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Socotra. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Libinhania balfourii, synonym Helichrysum balfourii, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Socotra. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Helichrysum panormitanum subsp. melitense, synonym Helichrysum melitense, is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to Malta, specifically to the island of Gozo. It is known as the Maltese everlasting. It can be found in Dwejra, and in cliffs in Gozo near Fungus Rock. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation on Coastal garigue and vertical sheer cliffs. Recently, it was recorded in new locations on the island of Gozo. This plant is on the decline in the wild, and it is threatened by habitat loss. It is very easy to cultivate, and it is gaining ornamental popularity amongst the locals.
Libinhania nimmoana, synonym Helichrysum nimmoanum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to the island of Socotra in Yemen. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Libinhania rosulata, synonym Helichrysum rosulatum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Socotra. Its natural habitat is rocky areas.
Libinhania sphaerocephala, synonym Helichrysum sphaerocephalum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Socotra. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and rocky areas.
Libinhania suffruticosa, synonym Helichrysum suffruticosum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Socotra. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
The Canarian shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to the Canary Islands, specifically the eastern islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Lobos, and Mount Clara. It used to be found on Graciosa, Canary Islands and Alegranza. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Ilex canariensis, the small-leaved holly, is an endemic species of holly native to Macaronesian islands. It is a species of plant in the family Aquifoliaceae. It is found in the Macaronesian islands of Madeira (Portugal) and Canary Islands (Spain).
Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum, synonyms including Helichrysum luteoalbum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. In the United Kingdom, it is known as the Jersey cudweed.
Chrysocephalum semipapposum, commonly known as clustered everlasting is a perennial shrub native to Australia. Clustered everlasting belongs to the family Asteraceae. C. semipapposum produces terminal flowers heads in clusters, mainly between spring and early summer with silver-grey appearing stems and branches. It grows up to 40cm high and 60 cm high, although there have been some varieties which can grow up to 1 m. C. semipapposum is often confused with Chrysocephalum apiculatum or 'yellow buttons', due to their similar appearances. C. semipapposum has 4 different subspecies, however they lack distinctive qualities and are often hard to identify. C. semipapposum is endemic to Australia and can be found in multiple states, most notably within Victoria. The plant is found in a variety of habitats including dry rocky regions. Clustered everlasting often grows sparsely and is rarely found in abundance and can be mistaken for a weed. Clustered everlasting has many uses, including as a source of nectar for butterflies, cut flowers or as an addition to a garden.
Geranium reuteri, the giant geranium, is a species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae, endemic to the Canary Islands. It was known for many years under the name Geranium canariense. In Spanish, it is called pata de gallo.
Pittosporum mackeei is a species of plant in the Pittosporaceae family. It is endemic to New Caledonia.
Helichrysum monogynum, also known as red tinderbox, is a species of flowering plant within the family Asteraceae. The species is listed as endangered due to its restricted range within 8 km² of suitable habitat and the threat of habitat degradation due to urbanisation and recreational activities.
Area of Scientific Importance is a protected area in nature and landscape protection defined by the Canarian Government, assigned to IUCN Category IV, but is not explicitly designated as a species protection area.