00:05Rare Woolly Devil Flower Discovered in Big Bend National Park
00:08A tiny woolly devil flower appeared in Big Bend National Park.
00:12In West Texas, the Chihuahuan Desert holds rocky slopes, dry washes, cactus, and hidden plants
00:17that bloom after rain. A park volunteer photographed the woolly devil in March 2024,
00:22then uploaded the unusual desert flower to iNaturalist. The woolly devil grows low to
00:27the ground with fuzzy white leaves, crimson-striped petals, and two tiny horn-like flower rays.
00:33Scientists studied the plant's DNA and compared herbarium specimens before naming the new genus
00:38and species, Ovicula biradiata. The woolly devil belongs to the sunflower family, but its small
00:43woolly body looks nothing like a bright backyard sunflower. Big Bend National Park had been
00:48surveyed for decades, yet the woolly devil still hid in three narrow northern park locations.
00:53The discovery marked the first new plant genus described from a U.S. national park since
00:59July Gold in Death Valley in 1976. Researchers say the woolly devil may already face danger
01:05because heat, drought, and fragile desert habitats squeeze its limited range. Microscope work revealed
01:11tiny glands on the woolly devil, giving scientists another reason to protect and study the rare plant.
01:16One small flower in Texas desert rock can prove a famous national park still hides surprises.
01:20Police say the residence.
01:21Police say the sparrow has a large city of L.A.
01:21and o'clock
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01:21In the air
01:21You
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