Mastuerzo de Gádor
A species of the cruciferous family, the genus Coronopus is derived from the Greek term used by Dioscorides to describe a creeping herb with divided leaves resembling the shape of a crow's foot.
Distribution
This plant is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, growing in the mountains and plateaus of the eastern half of the country. It was first described in the Sierra de Gádor, in the province of Almería. Populations were later discovered in the high plateaus of the Sistema Ibérico, beginning in northern Guadalajara and extending through Zaragoza and Soria. Initially, there was some uncertainty about whether these new populations were natural or the result of recent dispersal, but genetic studies have confirmed that these Celtiberian-Alcarrean populations are ancient. Although its general distribution spans about 20,000 square kilometres, its actual presence is much more limited, occupying less than 50 square kilometres in total.
Habitat
It grows on clay soils with temporary waterlogging, such as depressions and seasonally wet meadows. It is resilient to trampling by livestock and even the formation of ice on its surface during winter. It can be found on the banks of ponds or in areas that dry out in summer. It also grows along agricultural roads where the water table is close to the surface.
Conservation
Populations of this plant face several habitat-related threats, including land transformation due to land clearing, changes in topography, fluctuations in groundwater levels, afforestation, and overgrazing. Additionally, the natural fragmentation of its distribution and the lack of genetic exchange between the main populations pose a risk to its long-term viability. In Andalucía, the species in is included in the High Peaks Plan, which ensures its monitoring and conservation. In Aragón, the populations have been monitored annually since their discovery. Moreover, seeds of the plant are stored in germplasm banks to safeguard its future conservation.
Image description
The seeds of Coronopus navasii are very small, about one millimetre in length, with a slightly elongated shape and slightly pointed tip. Their colour can vary from brown to ochre, and their surface can be smooth or very finely rough. The optical microscope image shows the open leaflets of the fruit, which enclose the seeds before they ripen and disperse. These leaflets are semicircular, about two millimetres long, and feature a reticulated pattern that gives them a rough, cracked appearance.
The scanning electron microscope image shows a high-resolution detail of the seed coat relief, revealing a very fine reticulated structure.