Jara de Cartagena
This species, belonging to the Cistaceae family, was first discovered and described in the early 20th century in the Sierra de Cartagena, where it was once believed to be abundant. However, due to intensive mining activities in the area, it was presumed extinct for several decades. In 1986, a solitary specimen was found in the city of Valencia, prompting renewed interest and search efforts. Around 1993, nine individuals were rediscovered in the Sierra de Cartagena, but these were lost in a fire in the spring of 1998. Currently, approximately twenty individuals have been found in Cartagena, in addition to the single specimen in Valencia.
Distribution
This species is an Ibero-Levantine endemism, found in the Sierra de Cartagena in the province of Murcia, and in the Sierra Calderona in Valencia. Specifically, it has been recorded in Monte Sancti-Spiritu, Peña del Águila, and La Pobla de Vallbona.
Habitat
It inhabits areas between 100 and 500 metres above sea level, in thermo-Mediterranean zones with semi-arid to arid climates. The species typically occurs in clearings of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests, dry calcareous grasslands, and degraded shrublands that emerge after wildfires.
Conservation
The two known populations comprise fewer than 30 individuals. The Valencia population includes only a single plant, which cannot reproduce due to the species’ allogamous reproductive system. This population is further threatened by fire, high levels of tourism, and ongoing urban development. The Cartagena population faces similar pressures, including a high risk of wildfires and intensive human activity. Hybridisation with Cistus albidus is also a concern, although this hybrid has not yet been documented in the wild. Since 1998, population dynamics have been closely studied, and seeds are preserved in germplasm banks. Germination protocols, plant propagation methods, and in vitro cultivation techniques have been successfully established. Additionally, seeds have been produced from the Valencia specimen through controlled cross-pollination with individuals from Murcia.
Image description
The optical microscope image reveals a small seed, measuring between one and two millimetres. It has a rounded but slightly angular shape, somewhat resembling a spheroidal tetrahedron. The surface is marked by irregular ribs or contours, caused by the presence of small papillose structures that give the seed a plush or velvety texture. These structures may aid in moisture retention or adhesion to the substrate, thereby facilitating germination under suitable conditions. The seed’s colour ranges from dark brown on the inner areas between the ribs to lighter tones along the raised ribs.