Despite being one of the state's smallest sunflowers,
Texas prairie dawn is not easily overlooked. Its yellow flower
heads, less
than 1/2 inch in diameter, stand out brightly in the patches
of dull gray barren sand in which the species is normally found.
Because this suitable habitat is limited to such a small geographic
area, Texas prairie dawn was not encountered by botanists for
almost 100 years after its original discovery, and was thought
to be extinct. The status of Texas prairie dawn is better known
today, and much of its remaining habitat is protected on public
lands administered by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Date
of Listing: Endangered, 1985
Reason for Concern: This species occurs within and on the outskirts
of Houston. Habitat destruction by urban development continues
to threaten this
tiny plant.
Size: Delicate annual one to six inches tall
Habitat: Sparsely vegetated areas ("slick
spots") at the base
of mima mounds ("pimple mounds") or other nearly
barren areas on slightly saline soils in coastal prairie grasslands
Range: Fort Bend and Harris counties, southeast
Texas
Reproduction: Flowering March-early April;
disappearing by mid-summer
Population Numbers: Known from about 50 sites,
many within Addicks and Barker Reservoirs in western Harris County
*The description for Texas Prairie Dawn is cited from TX Parks
and Wildlife website.
