New Plant Genus Discovered in Texas National Park

A new genus of flowering plant has been discovered in Big Bend National Park in Texas, marking the first such discovery in a U.S. national park in over 50 years. The plant, a type of woolly daisy, has been named Ovicula biradiata, after the bighorn sheep that roam the rocky slopes of the park. Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences identified the plant through DNA analysis and comparison with other known species. The plant is small, only 2-7 inches tall, and grows among rocks and cliffs in a limited area of the park. Scientists believe this narrow habitat makes it particularly vulnerable to changing climate conditions. The discovery highlights the potential for further biodiversity finds within protected areas and underscores the importance of conservation efforts.