Overview
Butte County meadowfoam is a small plant with white flowers that grows in seasonal wetlands along the edges of vernal pools. It is only found in within a narrow 25-mile strip along the eastern flank of California’s Sacramento Valley in Butte County. Populations of the plant are declining due to urban and agricultural development, and conversion of vernal pool-containing lands to other uses. The plant was listed as endangered on June 8, 1992.
The plant is threatened by:
- Habitat loss and degradation due to urban and agricultural development, airport maintenance activities, conversion of land to other uses and road widening or realignment projects
- Drying of vernal pools due to drought and climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change - Non-native plants
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Life Cycle
Butte County meadowfoam sprouts up along the edges of vernal pools that come back to life when the winter rains return to northern California. The seedlings can tolerate short periods of submergence underwater and eventually develop into rosettes, which do not begin producing flowering stems immediately. Flowering typically begins in February, reaches peak flowering in March and may continue into April if conditions are suitable. Floral adaptations allow for cross-pollination by insects, which are attracted by the large flowers and production of nectar. The flower also has self-pollination mechanisms which support seed development if insect pollination is unsuccessful.
Habitat
Butte County meadowfoam is found in seasonal wetland habitats such as the edges of vernal pools. It generally grows on level to gently sloping terrain, on poorly drained soils with shallow layers of hardpan clay that create a pool of water. It thrives in waterlogged soils and tolerates being submerged in water for short periods of time.
The species is restricted to a narrow 25-mile strip along the eastern flank of the Sacramento Valley from central Butte County to the northern portion of the City of Chico. While the plant’s range has not changed, the number of populations, as well as the area occupied and the amount of available habitat within the range, have declined significantly in the last 30 years. This is mostly due to urban development in the area.
Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs.
Environments influenced by humans in a less substantial way than cities. This can include agriculture, silvaculture, aquaculture, etc.
Areas such as marshes or swamps that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture.
Physical Characteristics
Butte County meadowfoam is a small plant with white flowers that grows in seasonal wetlands along the edges of vernal pools.
Timeline
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