Endangered Species Project
By: Jackie Rubalcava
Endangered Texas Trailing Phlox: Plant and Native to Texas
Texas Trailing Phlox: Background
- This plant is only found in Texas and has been an endangered plant since September 30, 1991. As the longleaf pine forests disappeared, the trailing phlox did too.
- It was once considered extinct and it was found again by Geyata Ajilvsgi of Bryan ,Texas in 1972.
- Young Stems produce the beautiful flowers and have stems that are longer and a light green color. The old stems are darker green and have smaller leaves, and are usually found on the surface of the ground.
- Flowering occurs during March through May and each flower has 5 petals.
- Texas trailing phlox is presently known from only two sites, one being Tyler and the other Hardin counties, Texas.
- These plants will remain evergreen if the conditions are favorable.
- This species is also well adapted to fire.
- The largest populations is on Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary in Hardin County. It is managed and protected by Texas Nature Conservancy at Sandylands.
Texas Trailing Phlox: Threats and Solutions
- This species of plant has many reasons for being endangered. Fire-maintained forests, habitat loss and degradation due to site preparation , land clearing for pasture establishment, exposure to herbicides, and activities dealing with development are all a part of why this plant is endangered.
- Some other threats include habitat loss and soil and vegetation disturbance.
- To help we can monitor and protect known existing populations.
- Determine the limiting factors on reproduction.
- Establish captive populations to protect the genetics of the flower.
- Ways they are being helped: Besides protecting the Texas Trailing Phlox on the sanctuary, the conservancy has also helped in presenting the flower to the Big Thicket National Preserve in Hardin County.
Texas Trailing Phlox
Biography
Gough, Buddy."Texas by Nature." nature.org. The Nature Conservancy, n.d. Web. 7 December 2015.
"Texas Trailing Phlox Recovery Plan." fws.gov. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, n.d. Web. 7 December 2015.
"Texas Trailing Phlox." tpwd.texas.gov. Texas Parks and Wildlife, n.d. Web. 7 December 2015."Phlox nivalis ssp.texenis." Centerforplantconservation.org. Center for Plant Conservation, n.d. Web. 7 December 2015.