Pentachaeta lyonii

Pentachaeta lyonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Pentachaeta
Species: P. lyonii
Binomial name
Pentachaeta lyonii

Pentachaeta lyonii, the Lyon's pentachaeta or Lyon's pygmydaisy, is an annual plant in the aster family. It is endemic to southern California, where it is now known only from a few areas on the heavily developed coastline of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. This is a federally listed endangered species.

At one point in time there were 43 populations of P. lyonii distributed among the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Valley, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Catalina Island. In a 2006 search only 21 Pentacheata populations could be located, with occurrences on the Palos Verdes Peninsula having long been deemed extirpated. Populations on Santa Catalina Island were thought to be extirpated until 112 individuals were re-discovered in 2011 on a ridgeline near Two Harbors. The most recent area suspected of extirpation is Stunt Ranch where no flowering individuals have been seen since 1990, after an 8 year population decline.[1]

Pentachaeta lyonii tends to grow in compact soil with little disturbance and few competitors. Plants have been grown in the greenhouse with light well aerated soil, but whether P. lyonii grows in compact soil due to a lack of competition or particular nutrient requirements has yet to be determined. The plant requires insect pollination to set seed.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Recovery Plan for Six Plants from the Mountains Surrounding the Los Angeles Basin.


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