Gadoria de Faluke
A plant belonging to the Scrofulariaceae family, was discovered in January 2012 during an expedition led by Francisco Rodríguez Luque, also known as Faluke, in the Sierra de Gádor (Almería, Spain). This plant, the only species in its genus, is highly unique within Iberian flora.
Distribution
Gadoria falukei is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, found exclusively in a small area of the Sierra de Gádor in Almería, specifically in the Bernal ravine near the village of Santa María del Águila.
Habitat
This plant is native to the semi-arid thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic zone in Almería. It grows on nearly vertical rocky walls and overhanging cliffs formed by Miocene coastal conglomerates. The region is characterised by low plant species diversity and limited vegetation cover. Gadoria falukei thrives at an altitude of approximately 580 metres, surviving in harsh environment conditions, including summer drought and the instability of the highly erodible substrate.
Conservation
In 2013, a census recorded 16 adult individuals and 8 juveniles, along with the remains of at least 12 deceased plants. The species is confined to an area with extremely challenging environmental conditions, primarily due to summer drought and fragility soil that is prone to erosion. The primary threats to the species are human activities, particularly sheep grazing at the base of the cliffs, which can inhibit regeneration and seed dispersal. Another associated risk is illegal collection by collectors.
Images descriptions
The seeds of Gadoria falukei are very small, ranging from 0.8 to 1 millimetre in length. The optical microscope image shows that they are oval and slightly irregular in shape, with colours varying from black to dark brown. The seed coat, or testa, has reticulate pattern, with a finely rough surface and deep, longitudinal cavities.
The scanning electron microscope image shows a detailed view of these cavities, revealing a spongy structure that may aid in seed hydration and subsequent germination.