The monotypic genus ''Dedeckera'' contains the single species ''Dedeckera eurekensis'',
a plant known by the common name July gold which is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to California. It is found in the mountains east and south of the
Sierra Nevada, especially the
Inyo and
White Mountains.
July gold is a member of the
buckwheat family. It is a matting shrub which bears small fleshy leaves and tiny yellowish flowers. It is a plant of the dry mountainous scrub, where it grows on gritty limestone cliffs. July gold is a rare plant, and its populations are scattered due to its specific niche habitat. It is also a poor reproducer; only about 1% of its flower
ovule
In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: the '' integument'', forming its outer layer, the ''nucellus'' (or remnant of the megasporangium), and the ...
s produce viable seed. These factors make it a species of concern.
The genus was named for California botanist
Mary C. DeDecker.
Dedeckera eurekensis, Laws, Coldwater Canyon, 2020.07.26 (04).jpg
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants ProfileeFloras
Further reading
* Nickrent, D. L. and D. Wiens. (1989). Genetic diversity in the rare California shrub ''Dedeckera eurekensis'' (Polygonaceae). ''Systematic Botany'' 14:2 245–253.
Endemic flora of California
Monotypic Polygonaceae genera
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Polygonaceae-stub