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May 14, 2008 3:47 pm US/Pacific
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Off The Beaten Path: Found Flower
TRACY (CBS13) ―
The old saying "April showers bring May flowers" is proving itself in the hills above Tracy. I say scientists have found some flowers there that were thought to be extinct.
Where we're going tales a lot of paperwork and permission.
We four wheel drive down a bumpy road, unlock security gates and start walking. All this effort is necessary if you want to see a flower that grows no place else in the world. Ecologist Lisa Peterson guides me along a steep mountain trail.
"This is the most treacherous part of our population, so watch your step," she says.
The bright orange wildflower is Amsinkia Grandifloria, or large flower fiddleneck.
"The plant is so rare we don't want to do anything to disturb the native population," says Lisa.
Ironically, these fiddlenecks are protected by the main activity in this area.
These 7,000 acres are a high security area operated by the department of energy.
"This is an experimental test site where high explosives are formulated and tested, it's a good place for a flower to be," explains site manager, John Scott.
"So for years, these hills have been off limits to grazing animals, motorcycles, jeeps, even hikers," says John.
Scientists have established this test plot to raise and protect the fiddleneck.
A few more miles down the trail and there's another surprise, a tiny poppy thought to be extinct.
"This is Asocia Rombipedilia, so California Diamond Petal Poppy," explains Lisa.
The little poppy was discovered here a few years ago and have been prospering.
"This year we have eight to ten thousand plants in this population, so it's a good year," she says.
Scientists are also collecting seeds from these rare species to spread their comeback.
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