Nolina cismontana
Nolina cismontana in the spring
Nolina cismontana is a plant of the genus Nolina in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). English common names are " Chaparral Nolina " and " Chaparral Bear Grass".
Description
Nolina cismontana forms a stem of 0.5 to 1.5 m in length. Is rhizomatös and forms groups from 0.7 to 1.8 m in diameter. The variable green, falling to the ground, linear - lanceolate leaves are 50 to 140 cm long and 12 to 30 mm wide. The leaf margins are toothed.
The inflorescence is 1-3 m high with numerous long variable branching. White to cream-colored flowers are 3 to 5 mm long and 1.5 to 2.5 mm wide. The flowering period extends from May to June.
The in maturity woody, spherical capsule fruits are 8 to 12 mm long and wide. Brown, ovate to oblong seeds are 4 to 5 mm long and 3 to 4 mm in diameter.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Nolina cismontana is endemic spread in the U.S. state of California at altitudes 230-1275 m. It is very rare and grows in grassland on sandy to stony ground on flat hills of cismontane region and is associated with Yucca whipplei and various cacti species.
Nolina cismontana is a representative of the section arborescentes and currently poorly known. It is closely related to Nolina interrata, but this is a shorter stem. Nolina cismontana has long been confused with the occurring near Nolina parryi which is generally larger.
The first description was in 1995 by James C. Dice.
Nolina cismontana severe threat from new settlements. She is listed in the list of states of California and in the list of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a rare and endangered species.