island rush-rose

Crocanthemum greenei (B.L.Rob.) Sorrie

Crocanthemum greenei, a member of the Cistaceae family, is a flowering plant known as island rush-rose. It is native to California, specifically the Channel Islands, where it grows in rocky seaside chaparral. The species is found on three of the eight islands and is listed as a federally threatened plant. It has faced historical threats from feral herbivores, including the Santa Cruz sheep, but is showing signs of recovery.

Description

Crocanthemum greenei is a species of flowering plant in the rock-rose family (Cistaceae). It is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, where it is found in chaparral habitats on rocky seaside slopes. The plant is present on three of the eight islands in the archipelago. Historically, it was threatened by feral herbivores such as the Santa Cruz sheep. The species is currently listed as federally threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Conservation efforts have contributed to its gradual recovery. The species was formally described in 2011 by Sorrie, with the basionym attributed to B.L.Rob.