Oreja de Burro
Yellow dock
Echeveria gibbiflora
"My leaves change color from a Pink-Grey to a Purple-Grey when exposed too much sun"
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Taxonomy classification
Taxonomy classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Echeveria
Species: Echeveria gibbiflora
Habitat
Habitat
Native to semideserts areas such as Central America, Mexico, and northwester South America. They are very well adapted to hot and dry conditions, tolerating 65ºf- 80ºf in daylight to cool down at night of 50ºf. In their habitat their average precipitation is 725 mm, covered with Leptosol soil with an altitude of 7,349 feet (2.240 km) above sea level. This type of plant also shared a home with asters, sunflowers, evergreen trees, monarch butterflies, axolotls, and crocodiles.
Ecologic role
Ecologic role
Besides being a producer, echeveria gibbiflora is not a source of food but contains some healing properties. While it might not provide food for humans, the echeveria does provide nectar for many pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and wasps, and a home for many small insects.
Energy Production
Energy Production
Plants can make their own energy thanks to cellular respiration, but first, we need photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is where the energy from the sun is broken down into glucose. After that comes cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria, an organelle found in cells. In this process, both plants and animals break down simple sugars (made by plants during photosynthesis) into CO2 and water, later releasing the energy in the form of ATP.
Cellular respiration: Glucose + Oxygen ➡️ Co2 + H2O + energy
Ecological importance
Ecological importance
Due to its leaves, the echeveria gibbiflroa is allowed to survive in drought conditions and contribute to water retention in soil. Additionally, it provides food and water for a variety of small organisms, such as insects.
Conservation
Conservation
Echeveria Gibbiflora is not quite a common species, but it's not extinct either; we just need to protect it. One of the best ways to persevere a species is by habitat preservation; this includes implementing sustainable land use like regulating grazing, minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and conserving water. There are also reserves for Echeveria Gibbiflora in the Mexican biosphere like the R del Pedregal de San Angel, D.F
Economic Value
Economic Value
For this species, its economic value would be that it serves as ornamental use. In previous years, the species Echeveria has become a relevant source of income, which is why nurseries have so many, thanks to its aesthetic value outside the common, therefore such high value.
Cultural Importance
Cultural Importance
The echeveria gibbiflora is native to Mexico, so its presence contributed to its rich diversity, and by being in anyone's house pays a certain appreciation for Mexico's unique flora. As I said before, it also has ornamental value. These plants, unique rosettes, and blooms are admired by others for their elegant aesthetic qualities. It was also used as Mexican folk medicine and is still used today to cure headaches, lower a fever, and even to brush your teeth with.
Uniqueness to green roof
Uniqueness to green roof
Ehceverias are very minimal maintenance and are drought tolerant, only needing an infrequent amount of water. Having a drought tolerant plant, can be unique as it can help conserve water, control pests and provide habitat for wildlife creatures. Additionally, this species is more that just a pretty face, its contain certain benefits/ characteristics that make our gardens unique and precious.
Survival traits
Survival traits
This species is unique thanks to its rosette, spoon-shaped leaves, variety of colors, and ability to close its stomata throughout the day to prevent transpiration(loss of water), only opening them at night.
Survival advantages
Survival advantages
As I said, the Echeveira are low maintenance, drought tolerant, and can carry water in the leaves thanks to their ability to close their stomata. This gives them a certain advantage over other species and helps them survive harsher climates than other plants, which require a lot of water. These special traits will later pass on their genes to the next, causing what is known as evolution.
Evolutionary timeline/close relatives
Evolutionary timeline/close relatives
As I said, the Echeveira are low maintenance, drought tolerant, and can carry water in the leaves thanks to their ability to close their stomata. This gives them a certain advantage over other species and helps them survive harsher climates than other plants, which require a lot of water. These special traits will later pass on their genes to the next, causing what is known as evolution.
Sources
Sources
“Deserts and Semi-Arid Regions | Aussie Animals.” Aussie Animals, 26 Dec. 2022, aussieanimals.com/deserts-semi-arid-regions/#:~:text=Sustainable%20land%20use%20practices%3A%20Implementing,and%20fertilizers%2C%20and%20conserving%20water. Accessed 21 May 2024.
“Hen and Chicks: A Kaleidoscope of Leaf Shapes, Textures and Colors.” News, 2024, www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/jun/351403.htm#:~:text=The%20genus%20Echeveria%20belongs%20to,commonly%20as%20Hen%20and%20Chicks. Accessed 21 May 2024.
Jerónimo, Panuncio, et al. Echeveria Manual Del Perfil Diagnóstico Del Género Echeveria En México SINAREFI Sistema Nacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos Para LaAlimentación Y La Agricultura.
Tania Alemán Saavedra. “Echeveria, Una Planta En Peligro de Extinción - México Desconocido.” México Desconocido, México Desconocido, 27 Nov. 2018, www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/echeveria-una-planta-en-peligro-de-extincion.html. Accessed 21 May 2024.
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