In an exciting botanical discovery, a new plant species named the "Wooly Devil" has been found at Big Bend National Park in Texas. The plant, scientifically known as Ovicula biradiata, was first spotted in March 2024 by a botany volunteer and a park ranger. This marks the first time in nearly 50 years that a new plant species has been discovered in a U.S. national park.
The Wooly Devil is a tiny, fuzzy plant with yellow flowers, growing among desert rocks in the northern part of the park. It belongs to the daisy family but is so genetically distinct that it has been classified as a new genus. The plant's name, Ovicula biradiata, translates to "tiny sheep" and "two rays," referencing its wool-like appearance and the two ray-like petals in each flower.
Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences, Sul Ross State University, and Big Bend National Park have been studying the Wooly Devil to learn more about its unique characteristics and potential medicinal properties. The plant's ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Chihuahuan Desert highlights its resilience, though climate change poses a threat to its existence.
The discovery of the Wooly Devil has sparked excitement among botanists and conservationists, who are eager to learn more about this remarkable plant and its role in the ecosystem.
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