Big Bend National Park, located in southwest Texas near the Mexico border, has just made an exciting botanical discovery: a new species of plant, affectionately named the “wooly devil.” This remarkable find expands the sunflower family and highlights the ongoing exploration of the park’s unique flora.
The discovery was made by two park staff members who encountered a plant they couldn’t identify. After consulting species databases, experts, and even posting photos online, it became clear that the plant was previously unknown to science.
With the assistance of the California Academy of Sciences, the plant was confirmed to belong to the sunflower family, and its scientific name was established as Ovicula biradiata. Despite its small, fuzzy appearance, DNA sequencing revealed the plant is unique enough to warrant its own genus, setting it apart from other members of the sunflower family.
The plant’s name, “Ovicula,” derives from the Latin word for “tiny sheep,” referencing the wool-like material on its leaves, while “biradiata” refers to the distinctive ray petals of the flower. Locally, it’s affectionately called the “wooly devil” for its fuzzy features.
“This is an exciting discovery, but there’s still much to learn,” said Big Bend National Park Superintendent Anjna O’Connor. “We’re eager to explore whether there are other populations of this plant within the park, its life cycle, pollinators, and how it may respond to the ongoing drought conditions.”
The discovery of the “wooly devil” adds to the growing body of knowledge about the diverse and often hidden species that thrive in the natural world, underscoring the importance of continued exploration in national parks.
