Rare plant species rediscovered in California, experts say. See ‘truly thrilling find’
For decades, a rare native California plant species went under the radar.
The Santa Ynez groundstar, first described as a species in 2004, had not been “documented in decades,” the California Native Plant Society said in a joint May 17 news release with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
In the only images of the species, the plants were not even alive, the society said.
Now, after a joint search effort, experts have captured a photograph of a living plant, as well as specimens of the species, which is smaller than a penny, according to the society.
“It was a true joy to find and observe the Santa Ynez groundstar in nature,” curator Matt Guilliams said in the release. “The plants are quite small and easily go unnoticed most of the year.”
After gathering the proper permits, collaborators from the plant society and botanic garden searched the grounds of Vandenberg Space Force Base, “where the plant was known to have existed,” the society said.
Turns out, the plant was “relatively easy” to find using location information provided by one of the researchers, according to the society.
It was “a truly thrilling find,” Kristen Nelson, a rare plant program manager with the society, said.
“Prior to the new finding, the Santa Ynez groundstar was known only from very old records and one or two occurrences,” the California Native Plant Society said.
The Santa Ynez groundstar is native to Santa Barbara County, according to the nonprofit NatureServe. Experts estimate about 180 specimens remain.
“Plants such as this are or could be on the brink of extinction, and we can only confidently say they are doing okay once we get eyes on the ground and find them,” Aaron Sims, a rare plant program director with the society, said.
Though this recent search effort shows the plant still exists, “the population is extremely limited,” Sims said.
“It’s important that land use changes do not occur,” Sims added.
Thirty-four percent of all plants in the country are “now at risk of extinction, with plants in California among the most at risk,” according to NatureServe, the society said.
By “gathering new data” and garnering attention, it can help foster conservation efforts, giving this species “a fighting chance of survival,” Sims said.
Guilliams and others collected groundstar specimens to be added at four herbaria in the state, the society said. They also plan to update the population data as they look to “conservation and seed banking of the species.”
“We look forward to continuing to search for new populations of this rare plant so we can study and learn more about its role in nature and how best to protect it,” Guilliams said.
Vandenberg Space Force Base is about 160 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
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